By Johnathan Paoli
President Cyril Ramaphosa has vowed urgent action against corruption and criminality within the country’s criminal justice system, in light of the ongoing findings and revelations of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and Parliament’s ad-hoc committee.
Delivering his 2026 State of the Nation Address, Ramaphosa welcomed the removal of the country from the Financial Action Task Force’s Grey List, but nevertheless emphasized the concerning state of allegations of corruption and crime within the country’s police services.
“We cannot tolerate this. The rule of law depends on a police service that is ethical, responsive and rooted in the communities that it serves,” the President said.
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He highlighted the Presidency’s previous announcement of the establishment of a task team to ensure that investigations arising from the Madlanga Commission are undertaken swiftly without interference, adding that the State Security Agency will re-vet the senior management of the SAPS and metro police departments.
“The vetting process will include lifestyle audits as well,” he said.
Ramaphosa stressed that the government would act decisively on the Commission’s recommendations.
“As we have successfully done with previous commissions, we will use the recommendations of the Madlanga Commission to make far-reaching changes. We are determined that the Commission’s findings and recommendations will lay the basis for a fundamental reform of our criminal justice system,” he said.
Ramaphosa welcomed the work done to rebuild key institutions from state capture, praising the South African Revenue Service as a “world class authority” and the “strengthening” of the Special Investigating Unit, the National Prosecuting Authority and the Hawks.
He said the government will also finalise its approach to the recommendations of the National Anti Corruption Advisory Council on the establishment of a permanent independent overarching anti-corruption body.
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In a strong warning, Ramaphosa highlighted the plight and worsening conditions of whistleblowers and informants in the country.
“We cannot accept that those who speak out against corruption are victimised, targeted and killed. The Whistleblower Protection Bill will be introduced in Parliament. Among other things, this will criminalise retaliation and provide psychosocial, legal and financial support to whistleblowers,” he said.
He identified procurement as a major vulnerability, recognising that the Auditor-General reports that the majority of incidents of corruption originate in the procurement system.
“We cannot allow this cancer to continue and we must therefore act. Measures that we will take will include the use of technology and the finalisation of the new Public Procurement Act regulations by mid-2026,” he said.
Turning to crime more broadly, Ramaphosa declared that organised crime is now the most immediate threat to democracy, society and economic development.
“Our primary focus this year is on stepping up the fight against organised crime and criminal syndicates and we will do so using technology, intelligence and integrated law enforcement,” the president stated.
He said the government would “consolidate” intelligence at national level, identifying priority syndicates and deploying hand-picked multidisciplinary intervention teams focused on dismantling criminal networks.
To confront escalating gang violence, particularly in the Western Cape and Gauteng, the President announced that the SANDF will be deployed to support the police.
“I have directed the Minister of Police and the SANDF to develop a technical plan on where our security forces should be deployed within the next few days in the Western Cape and in Gauteng to deal with gang violence and illegal mining,” Ramaphosa said.
He confirmed that he would inform the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces regarding the timing and place of deployment of soldiers, as well as the costs.
The Presidency announced last month a special investigations task team following the submission of the Madlanga Commission’s interim report in December, which identified prima facie evidence of wrongdoing against several senior law-enforcement and municipal officials.
The President directed Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia and National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola to urgently establish the unit, with a leader who will report directly to Masemola, to fast-track criminal and disciplinary investigations.
The Commission referred five SAPS members for further investigation: Major General Lesetja Senona, Major General Richard Shibiri, Brigadier Mbangwa Nkhwashu, Brigadier Rachel Matjeng and Sergeant Fannie Nkosi.
It also identified nine current and former officials linked to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and the EMPD, including suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi, officers Bafana Twala, Aiden McKenzie and Kershia Leigh Stols, former city manager Imogen Mashazi, fleet manager Chris Steyn, head of human resources Linda Gxasheka, head of legal services Kemi Behari and Etienne van der Walt.
The allegations flagged for referral include corruption, fraud, perjury, murder and other unlawful conduct, though the Commission has emphasised that these remain prima facie findings and not final determinations.
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