PRETORIA - Witness J has told the Madlanga Commission that businessman Tumelo Nku is not a police informer, but rather a man involved in drug trafficking and part of a broader criminal network.
Witness J testified in-camera last Thursday, 18 June. The redacted transcripts of his evidence have now been released. He gave testimony relating to the R200 million Durban-Aeroton cocaine theft and allegations involving high-profile individuals.
The transcripts also reveal that Nku allegedly had close ties to politicians and funded ANC events in the Eastern Cape in 2019 and 2020. It is further alleged that some ANC branches in the province would regularly request donations from him.
Nku was previously close to suspended Gauteng Traffic Chief Samuel Mashaba. He was initially presented as an informer who tipped off Mashaba about a massive R300-million cocaine shipment.
In his testimony, Witness J said analysis of Nku’s cellphone data suggested he was a facilitator in the movement of containers used to conceal illegal drugs.
"He is involved in drug trafficking and has people who are assisting him to facilitate the trafficking of drugs," read the transcripts of Witnes J's voluminous testimony.
"Tumelo Nku is not an informer as he alleges because if that was the case, the drugs-seizing was supposed to be seized in Durban. Why would he risk travelling all the way to Durban and come back following the truck?"
Witness J also alleged that Nku had contacts within law enforcement who assisted him in illegal activities.
He further told the Commission that Mashaba had connections with other units that allegedly helped Nku retrieve drugs from trucks. Mashaba has previously admitted to receiving money from Nku.
The witness also alleged that Nku owns immovable property registered in his mother’s name, purchased through companies allegedly used to conceal his true source of income.