Tumelo Nku questioned by South Africa's Madlanga Commission over R286 million Aeroton cocaine bust

Businessman Tumelo Nku, who describes himself as a data‑analysis and cyber‑security consultant, appeared before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in June 2026. Commissioners probed why he carried R60,000 in cash on the day he was arrested at the Aeroton crime scene, where more than 700 kg of cocaine – valued at about R286 million – was seized.

Nku claimed the cash was for travel and "intel work" linked to tracking the drug shipment, but commissioners highlighted inconsistencies with his statements and with testimony from Gauteng Traffic Police Chief Inspector Samuel Mashaba. They also examined Nku’s alleged connections to the late deputy national commissioner for crime detection, Sindile Mfazi, who died under mysterious circumstances in 2021, a day before the Aeroton interception.

The commission discussed two possible narratives: that Nku and three others were legitimate informants aiding the drug seizure, or that they were part of a plot to move the cocaine before police arrived. All four were initially arrested in 2021; charges were later withdrawn, but the investigation remains open. Nku also referred to his use of "military‑grade offensive cyber exploitation tools" and claimed contacts with foreign intelligence entities.