PRETORIA - Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo identified a major organised crime cartel known as the 'Big 5' during his testimony at the Madlanga Commission.
He said the cartel is sophisticated and has already infiltrated the political arena.
Khumalo testified on Day 8 of the Madlanga Commission, which is probing alleged criminal infiltration of the criminal justice system.
READ | WATCH | Dumisani Khumalo testifies at Madlanga Commission
According to Khumalo, the cartel is believed to have its head office in Gauteng for economic expediency.
Its main commodity is allegedly drugs, with the cartel also dealing in cross-border vehicle hijacking, kidnappings, tender fraud and extortion.
Controversial tenderpreneurs Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and Katiso “KT” Molefe, as well as three unidentified individuals feature as main players within the alleged cartel.
“The syndicates, which are operational units of the cartel, consist of between 10 and 12 members that are recruited based on their experience in terms of dealing with one of the commodities that the cartel is specialising on,” Khumalo said.