FORMER CRIME INTELLIGENCE BOSS GENERAL DUMISANI KHUMALO ALLEGED THAT A POWERFUL CARTEL KNOWN AS THE “BIG FIVE” HAS INFILTRATED SOUTH AFRICA’S POLICE SERVICE, POLITICAL NETWORKS AND BUSINESS CIRCLES.

PKTT Disbandment QuestionedCentral to Khumalo’s testimony was the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) on 31 December 2024 by then Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. At the time, Khumalo said, the task team was managing 612 active dockets, contradicting claims that its work had been completed. The “Big Five” CartelKhumalo described the “Big Five” as a Gauteng-based cartel with networks in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. WhatsApp EvidenceThe commission was shown WhatsApp messages retrieved from the phone of alleged cartel figure Vusi “Cat” Matlala, arrested in May 2025. Political FalloutWhile Khumalo testified, the Presidency announced an inquiry into Gauteng NPA head Andrew Chauke’s fitness to hold office.