By Dylan Bettencourt
- Advocate Terry Motau, who exposed the VBS Mutual Bank heist, has stepped down from Madlanga’s crime inquiry less than two weeks after it began.
- Senior counsel Matthew Chaskalson takes over as chief evidence leader as the inquiry faces tight deadlines.
Advocate Terry Motau has quit as chief evidence leader of Madlanga’s crime inquiry less than two weeks after it started.
Motau, who made his name exposing the R2-billion VBS Mutual Bank scandal, will return later only to cross-examine national police commissioner Fannie Masemola.
His exit is a blow to the inquiry into corruption, criminal networks and political interference in the justice system.
Senior counsel Matthew Chaskalson has now stepped in as chief evidence leader, joining Mahlape Sello and Adila Hassim. A fourth advocate will also be added to the team, Daily Maverick reported.
The inquiry, led by retired Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, has six months to finish its work. With fewer than 30 staff, it faces tight deadlines and piles of evidence.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is relying on its findings to clean up law enforcement and make key appointments.
The pressure is mounting. In July, KwaZulu-Natal police boss Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused top politicians and police of working with drug cartels. At the inquiry’s opening last week, he repeated those claims. Masemola then added more damaging details.
Next up is suspended Crime Intelligence boss General Dumisani Khumalo, who testifies on Monday. Already arrested and charged this year, he is expected to drop more revelations that will test the inquiry’s small team.
Spokesperson Jeremy Michaels said the team “will not be sidetracked”.
But with Motau gone, Chaskalson and the other advocates face a heavy workload as the nation watches.
Pictured above: Advocate Terry Motau, who may leave the inquiry into criminal networks in law enforcement.
Image source: GroupOne
