Businessman and alleged informer, Tumelo Nku, has been questioned about carrying more than R60000 in cash on the day of the Aeroton drug bust. In July 2021, police intercepted more than 700kg of cocaine in the south of Johannesburg. Nku, together with two police officers and a traffic official, were among the first people at the scene of the drug bust. He has also been questioned about how he obtained information relating to the drug consignment and the expertise he claims enabled him to do so.
MADLANGA COMMISSION | Commissioner Madlanga questions Tumelo Nku on the risks of travelling with large amounts of cash. Nku agrees it was risky but says the advantage, in his view, was being able to travel discreetly. pic.twitter.com/Ln38rn7ymb
— SABC News (@SABCNews) June 25, 2026
Businessman and alleged informer, Tumelo Nku, has testified that he became aware of the Aeroton drug consignment after gaining access to a certain individual’s cellphone. He claims that one of his sources approached him to track the communications of an individual believed to be involved in kidnapping activities in South Africa.
Nku further testified that after gaining access to the individual’s phone, he uncovered intelligence relating to illicit trafficking and narcotics distribution. He told the Commission that the individual was linked to a senior individual at logistics company, Scania.
He was responding to questions from Commission Chairperson, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga.
“Chair, oh, sorry, maybe to read it into the record, this individual appeared to be a significant and noble figure, and I’m not sure if it’s a significant figure or not, the closest associate of a high-ranking official in the company in question,” says Nku.
“You are not … aren’t you willing to mention the company as well?” asks Chair Madlanga.
“Yes, the company Scania. Oh, thank you. The company Scania,” says Nku.
Nku was introduced to the Commission through the evidence of Warrant Officers Steve Phakula and Marumo Magane, as well as Gauteng Traffic Police Chief, Samuel Mashaba. The four individuals were among the first people at the Aeroton scene, where more than 700kg of cocaine was seized.
Nku has also described himself as a data analyst, who works as an “ethical hacker”.
Commissioner Sandile Khumalo questioned Nku about his extensive knowledge of shipping containers, imports and port operations.
“Have you ever worked for a port authority or an institution related to port activities, import, arrival of containers? Can you just give us a full background of what you know and whether you’ve ever been involved in those industries or those activities?” asks Khumalo.
“Commissioner Khumalo, from an entrepreneur’s point of view, not a professional, albeit it extends to professional in a sense that one had impact on studying consignment management?” replies Nku.
Nku has defended his possession of over R60000 during the Aeroton drug bust, alleging that the money allowed him to travel discreetly without having to use his bank cards. But, Commission Chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga questioned him about the logic of carrying such a large amount of cash given the risks involved.
“So, make me understand this advantage in the face of the risks attendant to carrying that much cash with you. Make me understand this advantage that you took. Simply doesn’t make sense to me, Mr. Nkrumah. Chair, the advantage relates to me travelling discreetly. Travelling? Discreetly. What on earth does that mean?” asks Madlanga.
MADLANGA COMMISSION | Commissioner Madlanga questions Tumelo Nku on the risks of travelling with large amounts of cash. Nku agrees it was risky but says the advantage, in his view, was being able to travel discreetly. pic.twitter.com/Ln38rn7ymb
— SABC News (@SABCNews) June 25, 2026
“Chair, if I, because part of my trip was to acquire information. Traveling discreetly means that along the route I wouldn’t be using my bank cards,” replies Nku.
Nku has also been questioned about his presence at the drug bust scene. He has provided the Commission with three separate explanations for why he remained there. Evidence leader, Advocate Teboho Mosikili, accused Nku of tailoring his evidence as proceedings unfolded.
MADLANGA COMMISSION | Chair Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga challenges Tumelo Nku, saying that he is not being truthful about his evidence about carrying a huge amount of money on the day he went to Durban to pay toll gates, but instead he used his credit card. Nku answered that “he… pic.twitter.com/7X0O5hwx6D
— SABC News (@SABCNews) June 25, 2026
“You see, that’s my difficulty with your testimony all along, is that you tailor evidence as you go by. None of the witnesses who came to testify, not Chief Mashaba, said anything about you leaving. You have provided three statements. None of those statements mention you ever wanting to leave. It is now that you are cornered as to why you insisted on being there. You are being faced with black and white evidence as to why you insisted on being there. Now you are giving us completely new evidence that, in fact, at some stage, you wanted to be relinquished. And I put it to you, that is a typical case of tailoring evidence as you go,” says Adv. Mosikili.
The Commission continues, on Thursday.
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