Sibiya bodyguard Scharnick detained after intimidating a journalist at the Madlanga Commission

By Johnathan Paoli

Businessman Stuart James Scharnick has been detained by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) after a Sowetan journalist opened a criminal case against him for alleged intimidation at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

Scharnick was apprehended outside the Brigitte Mabandla College in Tshwane on Thursday, following an operation reportedly led by the Political Killing Task Team (PKTT).

He had been on the police radar for some time, with officers previously looking for him at his residence before he was spotted attending the commission’s proceedings.

The detention followed an incident during a tea adjournment when Scharnick allegedly confronted Sowetan journalist Herman Moloi after Moloi recorded him at the commission.

Moloi said journalists had been taking pictures and recording Scharnick after he approached suspended MP and National Coloured Congress (NCC) leader Fadiel Adams.

“When he came back, he said, why am I taking video of him without