Hawks investigator Warrant Officer Phuti Mashala has conceded at the Madlanga Commission that he and a colleague made a mistake by informing a suspect about their entrapment operation.
The operation was linked to the theft of R1.5 million from businessman Ali Raja by Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officer Eric Mphahlele, who has since been convicted.
Mashala testified that fellow Hawks officer Captain Keshi Mabunda and JMPD Inspector Tintswalo Rikhotso offered to arrange a R250 000 bribe to make the case against Mphahlele disappear.
However, during a second meeting, the Hawks informed Mabunda about their entrapment operation, despite believing she was part of the alleged bribery scheme.
Commission chair Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga put it to Mashala that it was a “very glaring mistake” that defeated the purpose of the operation.
MADLANGA COMMISSION | Justice Madlanga slams Hawks officer Phuti Mashala over ‘senseless’ mistakes in case. https://t.co/CUfnEXplnz
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Justice Madlanga: “That’s a very glaring mistake by Hawks’ detectives. You are supposed to be a specialised branch of the police, aren’t you? I would even say you are supposed to be super detectives, aren’t you?”
Officer Mashala: “Yes, we are.”
Justice Madlanga: “You are defeating the very purpose of what you sought to achieve. Just doesn’t make sense at all to me. Does it make sense to you?”
Officer Mashala:”No, Your Worship.”
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