Whistleblower Patricia Mashale: Police, politicians used prison hitmen for cover-ups

The Parliament Ad Hoc Committee probing police corruption heard evidence from whistleblower Patricia Mashale, who implicated politicians and police in crime cover-ups and for allegedly hiring hitmen from prison.

Mashale, who was the first witness during the day's public hearings, told the committee that corruption in the police was widespread and called on the committee to act.

The committee was wrapping up its public hearings before calling in more key witnesses.

Mashale's appearance followed months of evidence before the committee, where her role as a police whistleblower had been discussed.

She took to the stand voluntarily to make more submissions, including allegations regarding how witnesses in the Free State Vrede Dairy Farm case were murdered.

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Mashale said she was informed by a self-confessed hitman and prisoner, Zwelinzima Nquru, that police and a former premier were involved.

Mashale said: "Ms Seipati Lechoano was killed by the same hitman who killed the Vrede farm witness. Mr Nquru has implicated former premier Ace Magashule."

Committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane noted that the use of prisoners as hitmen had been raised previously.

"Former minister Senzo Mchunu came here and said the worst of the crimes in South Africa are planned in our prison cells."

Lekganyane added that the submissions were serious and would be considered by the committee.