Gauteng Organised Crime Unit police officer Sergeant Fannie Nkosi testified that he did not make any payment to SABC journalist Natasha Phiri.
Image: Oupa Mokoena/Independent Newspapers
Sergeant Fannie Nkosi, an officer with the Gauteng Organised Crime Unit, defended himself against bribery allegations at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry yesterday, saying he never took cash from controversial businessman Katiso "KT" Molefe.
The claims against Nkosi stem from two videos taken at Molefe's house on November 27, 2024, where he was seen carrying a bag, suspected to contain cash.
Nkosi explained to the commission that he visited Molefe's house en route from court. The first video shows him arriving without a bag, and the second video shows him leaving with a bag in Molefe's company.
While at Molefe's house he said he collected gloves, helmet, a shield and a T-shirt bought by Molefe in December 23, 2023 intending to return them to a Harley-Davidson store because they were small or could not fit Molefe.
Nkosi, Molefe's biking mentor, claimed the riding gear was inside the bag.
Molefe allegedly only discovered the clothes did not fit when he was due to wear them, 11 months after he had purchased them.
Chief evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson said: "I don't find that plausible."
Nkosi pointed out Molefe already had multiple biking gear items, including three helmets, long and short gloves, and seasonal jackets.
He told the commission that despite his initial intention to return the items, he actually did not do so.
Chaskalson highlighted a discrepancy, noting the bag's contents, with a visible rectangular shape, seemed inconsistent with Nkosi's claim it held gloves, a T-shirt, a shield, and helmet.
"I want to put it to you that there are not gloves, shield, helmet and T-shirt in there. That there is a fairly sharp rectangular shape that is inside that bag," he said.
Nkosi pointed out that the photo was misleading, citing examples like his sneakers appearing black when they were actually orange, and his blue jeans looking black, suggesting the image was inaccurate.
Nkosi also said that that he gave SABC reporter Natasha Phiri R500 as a "token of appreciation" for sharing social media blogger Musa Khawula's contact information.
Nkosi testified last week that Khawula was wanted by police due to complaints from businessman Ze Nxumalo and ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula, who found his social media posts offensive.
On Monday, he told the commission that the amount paid to Phiri was for "just thanking" her because he knew her.
"I didn't pay Natasha for information. I just gave her money because I know her," he told the commission.
His version came despite WhatsApp chats showing Phiri asked if he would not thank her after she shared Khawula's contacts with him.
"Not even a thank you, sies," read Phiri's WhatsApp message.
Nkosi later sent her a message: "Where can I send a token of appreciation?"
Nkosi's answer prompted Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga to ask: "What were you talking about when you said where can I send a token of appreciation?"
Nkosi referred the commission to the WhatsApp message he sent to Phiri, saying: "I have everything about him (Khawula). It is me saying to you, buy red bull. It has got nothing to do with him. Relax."
The commission also heard that Nkosi had also sent Khawula's warrant of arrest to Phiri.
When questioned about sharing the warrant, he justified his decision by saying that he wanted Phiri to call the nearest police station if she encountered Khawula, so that the police could arrest him.
He had also shared information about Khawula's profile with Phiri, justifying it by saying he received the document from Nxumalo.
"I shared it with her just to assure her that I have got everything I need," Nkosi said.
Co-commissioner Advocate Sesi Baloyi suggested that Phiri being a journalist, Nkosi was sharing information with her so that she could do a story on it.
Nkosi said: "It is not about that."