The Madlanga Commission heard on Tuesday that Jothan Msibi, alleged head of the Big Five criminal cartel who died in 2024, played a key role in retrieving stolen stock for the controversial tobacco company Carnilinx. Text messages revealed that Carnilinx director Kyle Phillips contacted Msibi—referred to as "Pappa Joe"—to recover stolen firearms and stock, with Msibi successfully resolving the matter. The hearings also exposed Msibi's involvement in a plot to acquire IMSI-catchers, known as "grabbers", from Czech company Invasys for use in Eswatini, while fraudulently representing the South African Police Service. Evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson described the scheme as "an out and out fraud" and a "worrying state of affairs", noting that private parties were posing as state representatives to trade in surveillance technology that should be strictly controlled. Additionally, Msibi was linked to tender rigging through businessman Ze Nxumalo, who sent a message asking about a bid invitation but provided an evasive response when questioned by the commission. Other figures tied to Msibi include Carnilinx executive Mohammadh Sayed, senior police officer Feroz Khan, and alleged cartel members such as Steve Motsumi, Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, and Katiso "KT" Molefe.