Madlanga Commission Summons Ramaphosa’s Former Adviser Over WhatsApp Chats

The Madlanga Commission has reportedly served Dr Bejani Chauke, a former political adviser to President Cyril Ramaphosa, with a notice requiring him to explain his WhatsApp conversations with the late taxi boss Jotham Mswazi Msibi. The messages allegedly include discussions relating to state security. Chauke is reportedly consulting his legal team regarding the matter.

The conversations, which are believed to date back to 2022 and 2023, came under investigation after data was extracted from Msibi’s cellphone. The information has reportedly revealed possible connections between police officers, private business interests and sensitive surveillance equipment.

Among the allegations is that Msibi, Sergeant Fannie Nkosi of the South African Police Service (SAPS), and private associates used fraudulent police identification documents and official SAPS stamps to obtain cellphone interception and jamming equipment from European suppliers. The equipment was reportedly worth approximately R1 million and allegedly intended for resale to the Kingdom of Eswatini.

Other messages recovered from the cellphone reportedly contain discussions involving senior legal and security figures about influencing criminal prosecutions. Some exchanges allegedly refer to strategies for closing cases without attracting suspicion. These revelations have raised concerns about possible interference in criminal investigations and the independence of the country’s justice system.

The commission is currently examining allegations of political interference and possible misconduct within law enforcement and the broader justice system.

Meanwhile, retired Hawks head Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya has provided testimony about an approach made by private investigator Paul O’Sullivan. According to Lebeya, O’Sullivan contacted him seeking an update on an investigation and claimed to be with Chauke, whom he described as a friend.

Lebeya told the commission that O’Sullivan called him and said he was sitting with his friend, a doctor, before asking about the progress of the case. The testimony has added another dimension to the questions surrounding the relationships between political advisers, private investigators and law enforcement officials.

The commission’s examination of these matters comes amid growing scrutiny of alleged links between influential individuals and criminal investigations. The information recovered from Msibi’s cellphone could help investigators establish the nature of these relationships and determine whether any improper conduct occurred.

However, the allegations surrounding the WhatsApp messages and the alleged acquisition of surveillance equipment have not, in the information provided, been established as proven wrongdoing by all those mentioned. Chauke’s response to the commission’s notice and any further findings could be important in clarifying the issues under investigation.

The inquiry continues to examine concerns about accountability, state security and the possible influence of powerful individuals over South Africa’s criminal justice system.

https://iol.co.za/news/politics/2026-10-27-madlanga-commission-serves-ramaphosas-former-adviser-over-whatsapp-chats-with-late-taxi-boss-jotham-msibi/

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