Businessman and police informant Tumelo Nku will resume giving evidence at the Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Monday.
Image: Kamogelo Moichela / IOL News
Businessman Tumelo Nku is expected to return to the Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Monday to testify on the seizure of 751kg of suspected cocaine with the street value of R300 million in Aeroton, Johannesburg, in July 2021.
Nku began giving evidence on Thursday but had to stop the following day, as the commission and his legal team reached an agreement that a recent development needs to have further interaction with him and potentially supplement some of the statements that he has provided.
Nku, who described himself as an entrepreneur involved in various entities with diverse business interests across multiple entities, told the commission he was skilled in software development and cybersecurity.
“I have frequently undertaken cyber-intelligence consultations and provided both offensive and defensive cybersecurity solutions to various entities. My work has also included the real-time tracking of information in support of law enforcement,” he said.
According to Nku’s evidence, he received information about the drug bust from an individual known as “Eby”.
“He provided me with information relating to a particular individual, who was allegedly a key figure in kidnapping activities within the country.
“He enquired whether it would be possible to track the communication of this individual, as such the information could potentially assist law enforcement in ongoing kidnapping investigations in Pretoria.
“However, he did not furnish me with specific details concerning the investigation in question,” Nku said.
He added that he immediately forwarded the information to suspended Gauteng Traffic Police Chief Inspector Samuel Mashaba and asked him to assist with investigating the matter.
Mashaba has previously told the commission that Nku was his brother and that he would always try to assist him.
“I know on many things he relies on me, especially police issues,” Mashaba had said.
He made an example that if there was a police investigating officer who was giving Nku difficulties, he would try and talk to the cop and say “Die, is my laaitie (This is my boy)”.
Mashaba earlier testified that Nku had given him money, but claimed it could not be more than R50,000.
He said it could be between R20,000 and R50,000.
Nku said before the drug bust, his relationship with Mashaba was that of a professional acquaintance.
“I had been introduced to him around 2019 through a mutual contact, with the understanding that he could assist in ensuring that information relating to suspected criminal activity was referred to appropriate law enforcement structures.
“Post July 9, 2021, we have built a more personal friendship, particularly given the fact that we have endured similar persecutions and vilification subsequent to our arrest,” he said.
Nku explained his presence at the scene of the drug bust as limited to that of a source of information/informant.
“I remained in my vehicle at all material times, except when instructed by police officials to step out (namely [deputy crime intelligence heard] Major-General Feroz Khan. I did not participate in any operational decisions, searches, or handling of any items.”
Nku said Khan instructed that he be arrested but provided no reason despite his enquiries.
When police asked why he had R60,000 in cash with him, Nku told them acquiring technical intelligence always came at a cost.
“And further when I travel following up on such information, I do it discreetly with minimal footprints,” he said.