By Johnathan Paoli
The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department says an internal probe cleared Officer Johannes Makgatle of using official systems to assist murder-accused businessman Katiso “KT” Molefe, but found he improperly used a metro vehicle while off duty.
“Officer Makgatle misappropriated a council vehicle without permission while off-duty. He utilised the departmental vehicle to drive to Molefe’s home address and the surrounding block before returning to his own residence,” JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla told Inside Metros.
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The matter stems from testimony before the Madlanga Commission, where KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused Makgatle of abusing his position to benefit Molefe.
Mkhwanazi alleged Makgatle had a close relationship with Molefe and had used police systems in relation to a suspicious vehicle near Molefe’s home.
Mkhwanazi told the commission that Makgatle submitted an affidavit to General Crime Intelligence Operations (GCI Ops) on 5 February 2025, stating that Molefe had contacted him about a suspicious vehicle near his home.
Makgatle allegedly collected Molefe, used state systems to check the vehicle’s registration and confirmed it was a police surveillance vehicle before returning him home.
Later that day, Makgatle was informed of Molefe’s arrest, with Makgatle further admitting in his affidavit that he knew Molefe.
“He used his position to benefit Mr Molefe. That’s unethical and unlawful,” Mkhwanazi said.
Fihla said the department’s Internal Affairs Unit had concluded its investigation into Makgatle, with the final report signed off by JMPD Police Chief Commissioner Patrick Jaca earlier this month.
He said the probe found no evidence to support claims that Makgatle had used official systems or resources to assist Molefe at the time of his arrest in December 2024.
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He added that allegations relating to the disclosure of sensitive vehicle information and administrative favours could also not be proven.
“Due to a lack of specific information (such as registration numbers or vehicle types), the investigation could not prove that Officer Makgatle requested or disclosed information regarding a suspicious vehicle to Molefe,” the spokesperson said.
Fihla said no evidence or information had been received regarding vehicles being registered or licences renewed by Makgatle on behalf of Molefe in exchange for gratification.
However, the investigation did confirm that Makgatle committed misconduct by misusing a departmental vehicle while off duty.
“He failed to obtain an Occurrence Book (OB) entry from the radio room or request permission from his direct supervisor for the use of the vehicle,” Fihla said.
Fihla said that while Makgatle’s presence at Molefe’s residence was confirmed, investigators could not establish whether Molefe was in the vehicle.
Makgatle remains suspended, with the matter referred for internal prosecution, and formal charges are expected to follow.
Molefe and his co-accused appeared in the Johannesburg High Court on 12 March, where the matter was postponed to October for trial. Molefe’s bail was extended, while his co-accused remain in custody.