Suspended Sedibeng cop Nkhwashu says instructed to request dockets for Swart’s murder

Suspended South African Police Service (SAPS) District Commissioner for Sedibeng Abraham Nkhwashu said he was instructed by his superior to request dockets for the murder of Vereeneging engineer Armand Swart.

Nkhwashu is currently appearing before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where he is expected to respond to allegations that he improperly interfered in Swart’s murder case.

It’s suspected that Swart was killed in a case of mistaken identity after his company blew the whistle on a massive price inflation scheme at Transnet.

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On the morning of 17 April 2024, while waiting for the gate to be open at his workplace, a car pulled up beside Swart’s vehicle and shot him 23 times.

Controversial businessman and suspected crime cartel boss Katiso "KT" Molefe was later arrested on suspicion that he orchestrated the killing.

The gun used to kill Swart has been linked to several other high-profile killings across the country.

Witness B, an anonymous Crime Intelligence officer, who was investigating Swart’s murder, previously told the Madlanga Commission that Nkhwashu called him, demanding that he hand over the docket to him.

In his opening statement on Wednesday, Nkhwashu said there was no improper conduct on his part.

“I will address the allegation that I demanded the Armand Swart docket and show that my actions were pursuant to a lawful instruction from the Provincial Commissioner [Tommy Mthombeni].”

NKHWASHU DETAILS RELATIONSHIP WITH KT MOLEFE

Nkhwashu explained his relation to Molefe, saying he regards him as a brother-in-law.

However, he told the Madlanga Commission that he has never used his position to improperly assist Molefe in any of the criminal cases he is involved in.

Nkhwashu said in 1999, his wife’s younger brother paid lobola for a woman by the name of Fundiswa Nyangule.

However, before they could enter into a civil union, his brother-in-law was killed in a shooting in 2002.

Nkhwashu said by this time, ingxotha, a traditional ritual in the Mpondo culture where the bride is released from her birth family to join her husband’s family, had been completed.

“Because of ingxotha, the bride’s integration into the husband’s family is complete and irreversible. As the elder of my family, I [had] to treat Fundiswa as my baby sister and to continue the relationship, even after Sazi’s (late brother-in-law) death. Custom demanded that I protect and support her as if she were my own blood sister.”

Nkhwashu said in 2021, Fundiswa later got into a customary marriage with Sandton-based businessman, Molefe.

He added that all his interactions with Molefe must be understood from the basis that he regarded him as a brother-in-law.