The Madlanga Commission has peeled back layers of political interference, corruption, and criminal collusion within South Africa’s criminal justice system over ten dramatic days of testimony.
Image: IOL Graphics
The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has unveiled shocking allegations of corruption within the South African Police Service, leading to multiple high-ranking suspensions
The inquiry, which aims to uncover the extent of criminal syndicate infiltration, has revealed a deepening crisis within SAPS operations.
The commotion began even before the commission formally kicked off, with Police Minister Senzo Mchunu facing a precautionary suspension following allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
In a startling revelation made in July 2025, Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu of disbanding the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) on 31 December 2024, an action he claimed was taken without the necessary consultation with national leadership, ostensibly to shield politically connected individuals from scrutiny.
Mchunu appeared before the Ad Hoc Committee and the Madlanga Commission to justify his decision to disband the PKTT and respond to allegations of corruption, the unwarranted interference in police operations as well as his ties to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, a businessman embroiled in serious criminal charges and unwarranted interference in police operations.
Suspended Deputy Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
As the commission's investigations unfolded, a wave of suspensions followed. Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, the Deputy National Police Commissioner for Crime Detection, found himself on official leave in July 2025.
He has been implicated in obstructing investigations into politically motivated killings in KwaZulu-Natal, a charge he has vehemently contested in court. However, the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria upheld his suspension, allowing the inquiry to proceed unhindered.
Semakaleng Daphney Manamela
Image: SAPS
Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela was suspended as Mpumalanga Police Commissioner following serious allegations of misconduct, including financial mismanagement, fraud, corruption, nepotism, and the misuse of state resources.
In her defence, Manamela claimed that her suspension was a result of her crackdown on officers working with criminals and her resistance to political interference, rather than genuine misconduct, alleging that a R5 million bribe was involved.
She claimed there was political interference in cases involving illegal mining, kidnappings and political assassinations.
Manamela further alleged that a provincial task team investigating serious crimes was disbanded following her suspension, to compromise those cases.
Suspended brigadier Mbangwa Nkhwashu testifying at the Madlanga Commission.
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
Brigadier Mbangwa Abraham Nkhwashu, has been implicated in serious allegations of interference regarding the murder investigation of Vereeniging engineer Armand Swart, who was shot 23 times on April 17, 2024.
He has been accused of attempting to improperly access the case docket for the murder.
Evidence before the commission includes a recorded phone call in which Nkhwashu is heard urging investigators to hand over the docket.
He testified at the commission and faced questions regarding his ties to alleged crime boss Katiso Molefe, the same man accused of being the mastermind behind Swart's murder.
Notably, Nkhwashu was caught making after-hours visits to Molefe at Groenpunt Correctional Centre using an unregistered vehicle and claiming to be a relative.
Amidst these damning accusations, Nkhwashu was promptly placed on suspension from his position as Deputy District Commissioner of Sedibeng.
National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola faces mounting pressure from Parliament as calls for his suspension intensify amid a leadership crisis within the South African Police Service.
Image: Picture: Siyabulela Duda/GCIS
Just as the commission appeared to reveal systemic issues within the police force, National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola was also placed on precautionary suspension on Thursday.
His suspension follows grave accusations related to a R360 million contract awarded to a company owned by “Cat” Matlala, who is facing serious criminal charges himself.
This contract was awarded in 2024 but was ultimately cancelled due to significant irregularities, with Masemola now facing criminal charges under the Public Finance Management Act.
This series of suspensions illustrates the depth of the crisis afflicting SAPS as the Madlanga Commission continues its investigations, more revelations may surface, potentially reshaping the landscape of law enforcement in the country.