Key Takeaways
- A multi-province police operation targeted prominent private security figure Calvin Mathibeli, but the operation has been called into question due to discrepancies in official documentation.
- The arrest warrant used in the operation contains a case number that corresponds to a separate, concluded criminal matter involving a different individual.
- Mathibeli’s legal team has demanded explanation from the national police commissioner and has instructed them to seek urgent clarity on the matter.
- The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) has denied having any knowledge of the operation or any officer involved in it.
- The investigating officer assigned to the case has confirmed that Mathibeli is not a suspect in the matter and has no knowledge of any instruction issued to arrest him.
Introduction to the Police Operation
A multi-province police operation targeting prominent private security figure Calvin Mathibeli has been called into question following the emergence of a critical discrepancy in official documentation and serious allegations from his legal team. The operation, which was conducted by members of the specialized Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), involved coordinated visits to four properties linked to Mathibeli in Durban and Gauteng. The police claimed to be acting on an arrest warrant, but the validity of the warrant has been disputed by Mathibeli’s legal team.
The Arrest Warrant Discrepancy
The arrest warrant used in the operation contains a case number that corresponds to a separate, concluded criminal matter involving a different individual, Jason Perumal. Perumal was arrested and charged with fraud in April 2025, while the warrant for Mathibeli was issued eight months later, in December 2025. The warrant for Mathibeli states that he is facing charges of fraud and customs violation, but the case number on the warrant is identical to that of Perumal’s case. This discrepancy has raised serious questions about the validity of the warrant and the motivations behind the police operation.
The Police Operation
The police operation began with a visit to Mathibeli’s residence in La Lucia, Durban, where a substantial police presence was reported. Mathibeli’s sister informed the police that he was not at the property, but the officers insisted on searching the premises. The operation then moved to Mathibeli’s business premises in Durban North, where his wife, Smangele Mathibeli, was encountered. According to Mathibeli, the police demanded that his wife reveal his exact location and threatened her when she refused to cooperate. The operation continued with visits to a private residence in Mhlanga and Mathibeli’s offices in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.
Mathibeli’s Legal Team Demands Answers
Mathibeli’s legal team has demanded explanation from the national police commissioner and has instructed them to seek urgent clarity on the matter. In a formal letter of demand, the attorneys have set out a detailed chronology of the events and leveled serious allegations against the police. The letter describes the police operation as "unlawful" and "irregular" and demands a full explanation within three days. The attorneys have also claimed that the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) has denied having any knowledge of the operation or any officer involved in it.
Response from the Police
The national police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, has provided a limited response to the allegations, stating that the police would not comment on the matter. The investigating officer assigned to the case has confirmed that Mathibeli is not a suspect in the matter and has no knowledge of any instruction issued to arrest him. The lack of response from the police has raised further questions about the motivations behind the operation and the validity of the warrant.
Conclusion
The police operation targeting Calvin Mathibeli has been called into question due to discrepancies in official documentation and serious allegations from his legal team. The arrest warrant used in the operation contains a case number that corresponds to a separate, concluded criminal matter involving a different individual. Mathibeli’s legal team has demanded explanation from the national police commissioner and has instructed them to seek urgent clarity on the matter. The lack of response from the police has raised further questions about the motivations behind the operation and the validity of the warrant. The case highlights the need for transparency and accountability in police operations and the importance of ensuring that the rights of individuals are protected.
