Crime Intelligence Boss Reveals 'Big 5' Cartel Operating in South Africa

Pretoria – Explosive testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has unveiled the existence of a powerful crime syndicate, known as the “Big 5” cartel, which is allegedly behind some of South Africa’s most serious criminal networks.

Crime Intelligence head, Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo, confirmed that the cartel operates on both a national and international scale, with its main trade being drug trafficking, while also linked to vehicle hijackings and cross-border organised crime.

READ: "Evidence I Can't Share in Public": Crime Intelligence Boss Khumalo Begins High-Stakes Testimony at Madlanga Commission |

Two Members Named, Three Remain Confidential

During his testimony, General Khumalo identified Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and Katiso Molefe as confirmed members of the cartel. However, he explained that three additional suspects cannot yet be named for security and investigative reasons.

Presenting a schematic illustration of the syndicate’s structure, Khumalo clarified that certain icons used—skulls depicted on the diagram—did not imply that the unidentified members were deceased, but rather that their identities remain undisclosed pending ongoing investigations.

“This is an ongoing project investigation from the identification of the Big Five,” Khumalo told commissioners. “Those that are mentioned—Mr. Katiso Molefe and Mr. Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala—have already been addressed, while the remaining three are still under investigation.”

Their activities included:

• - Cross boarder hijackings
• - Drug distribution
• - Tender fraud
• - Kidnapping
• - ⁠Money laundering

High-Stakes National Security Case

The revelation underscores the scale of organised crime networks undermining South Africa’s law enforcement efforts. The “Big 5” cartel is alleged to wield extensive influence across multiple criminal industries, posing a direct challenge to the country’s crime intelligence and policing structures.

Khumalo’s testimony is still ongoing, with further evidence expected to expose how the syndicate operates, its links to corrupt networks, and the countermeasures being deployed by the South African Police Service (SAPS).

READ: "Joining the Dots": Crime Intelligence Boss Dumisani Khumalo Takes the Hot Seat at Madlanga Commission Day 8 |

As the commission continues, the focus now shifts to whether this high-profile testimony will lead to major arrests and a breakthrough in dismantling the cartel, or whether the secrecy required in such investigations will limit public accountability.