By Johnathan Paoli and Marcus Moloko
The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, established to probe allegations of criminal infiltration within South Africa’s policing and justice structures, has already heard testimony from a wide range of senior officials, investigators, and protected witnesses.
Together, their accounts have painted a striking picture of how deeply certain individuals may influence the country’s justice system.
ALSO READ: Madlanga Commission takes recess, to mull over second interim report
The commission was triggered in July 2025 when KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleged that criminal networks had penetrated the South African Police Service (SAPS). His media briefing set the stage for a cascade of revelations.
Since then, suspended National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has testified about SAPS structures and the establishment of a special task team, while Major-General Petronella van Rooyen addressed governance and compliance issues.
Advocate Elaine Harrison, KwaZulu-Natal’s Director of Public Prosecutions, spoke about prosecutorial challenges in political killings and organised crime cases.
Crime intelligence has been a recurring theme. Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo, head of SAPS Crime Intelligence, outlined operational structures, while several protected witnesses, including Witness X, Witness ICB, and Witness C, described interference and syndicate infiltration. Others, such as Witness D, Marius “Vlam” van der Merwe, linked testimony to whistleblowing in murder cases.
The commission has also heard from forensic experts like Brigadier Mishack Mkhabela and Captain Solomon Modisane, tactical commanders such as Captain Maxwell Wanda, and Hawks officials, including Brigadier Lesiba Mokoena and Lieutenant-General Patrick Mbotho. Their evidence has ranged from raids and ballistic analysis to allegations of operational interference.
ALSO READ: Sibanyoni’s alleged extortion allegations deepen as an insider speaks
Metro policing has come under intense scrutiny too, with suspended officials from Ekurhuleni and Tshwane, which include Chief Isaac Mapiyeye, Deputy Chief Revo Spies, and Chief Yolande Faro, questioned about corruption, procurement, and governance failures.
Business and political figures have also surfaced. Suleiman Carrim was linked to procurement networks, Brown Mogotsi, described as a political fixer, repeatedly invoked his right against self-incrimination.
Rumours have circulated on social media about the supposed arrest of Mkhwanazi, but these claims have no merit. IDAC has rubbished rumours that it has a J50 warrant of arrest for KZN provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as false.
This comes after reports circulated on social media alleging that the Independent Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) had prepared a J50 arrest warrant for Mkhwanazi.
However, despite the claims being false, the charge for which Mkhwanazi was allegedly going to be arrested remains unclear.
The commission has clarified that Mkhwanazi remains a witness whose testimony was central to its establishment.
What emerges from the hearings is not only a list of names but a broader narrative of how syndicates, political interference, and compromised policing structures may intersect.
Witnesses have, in different ways, illustrated the extent to which individuals can wield influence across the justice system, from local policing operations to national prosecutorial decisions.
ALSO READ: Former NW Premier Bushy Maape passes away
The commission continues to hear evidence, with expectations that more high-profile testimonies will follow.
Below is a list of witnesses:
Witnesses heard by the Madlanga Commission so far:
• Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi: KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner whose July 2025 allegations about criminal infiltration of SAPS triggered the establishment of the commission.
• General Fannie Masemola: National police commissioner who testified regarding SAPS structures, investigations and the establishment of the SAPS task team.
• Major-General Petronella van Rooyen: Head of Governance and Policy at the SAPS Legal Services Division who testified on governance and legal compliance issues.
• Advocate Elaine Harrison: KwaZulu-Natal Director of Public Prosecutions who testified about prosecutorial processes linked to political killings and organised crime cases.
• Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo: Head of SAPS Crime Intelligence who testified on intelligence structures and operational matters.
• Witness X: Protected witness who testified in partially closed proceedings concerning organised crime and police interference allegations.
• Witness ICB: Confidential witness linked to intelligence and criminal network allegations.
• Witness A: Member of Gauteng organised crime investigations who testified on criminal syndicates and police corruption.
• Witness B: Investigator linked to organised crime probes in Gauteng.
• Witness C: Protected witness whose testimony dealt with alleged criminal infiltration within law enforcement.
• Witness D: Emmanuel Mbense murder whistleblower Marius “Vlam” van der Merwe.
• Witness E: SAPS Crime Intelligence constable in KwaZulu-Natal who testified about intelligence operations and alleged interference.
• Witness F: Suspended SAPS Sergeant Fannie Nkosi accused of links to alleged underworld figures and improper conduct during investigations.
• Witness G: Protected witness linked to KwaZulu-Natal criminal investigations (Port Shepstone/Aeroton drug bust).
• Witness H: Protected witness linked to KwaZulu-Natal criminal investigations (Port Shepstone/Aeroton drug bust).
• Brigadier Mishack Mkhabela: SAPS ballistic expert who testified on firearms and forensic evidence.
• Captain Solomon Modisane: SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory official who testified about evidence handling and ballistic analysis.
• Captain Meldon Mkhatshwa: Forensic analyst from the SAPS Silverton laboratory.
• Captain Maxwell Wanda: Former Political Killings Task Team tactical commander who testified about raids, operational interference and organised crime investigations.
• Brigadier Lesiba Mokoena: Head of the Hawks Tactical Operation Management Section who testified about tactical operations and the KT Molefe raid.
• Captain Barry Kruger: Hawks Tactical Operation Management Section member involved in operational testimony.
• Chief Inspector George Raftopoulous: Gauteng Traffic Police official linked to evidence concerning metro policing operations.
• Warrant Officer Sabelo Nkosi: Hawks operational member involved in tactical deployment evidence.
• Lieutenant-General Patrick Mbotho: Hawks divisional commissioner for national priority offences who denied orchestrating interference in the KT Molefe raid.
• Chief of Police Isaac Mapiyeye: Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) chief implicated in corruption and governance allegations.
• Deputy Chief Revo Spies: Former EMPD deputy chief who testified about operations and management issues inside the metro police department.
• Head of Employee Relations Xolani Nciza: City official who testified about disciplinary and labour matters involving EMPD officers.
• Lieutenant-Colonel Kelebogile Thepa: Head of the EMPD Media and Public Relations Unit who testified on communications and operational issues.
• Major-General Mary Motsepe: Component head for Serious and Violent Crime Investigations attached to SAPS Detective and Forensic Services.
• Brown Mogotsi: Political fixer accused of involvement in police and political influence networks who repeatedly invoked his right against self-incrimination.
• Captain Dail Nortje: Hawks investigator involved in organised crime probes.
• Warrant Officer Paul Radebe: Hawks officer who testified regarding criminal investigations and raids.
• Major-General Ebrahim Kadwa: Suspended Gauteng Hawks head implicated in operational and corruption allegations.
• Lieutenant-General Hilda Senthumule: SAPS divisional commissioner for Detective and Forensic Services who testified on investigations and policing structures.
• Former City Manager Imogen Mashazi: Former Ekurhuleni city manager questioned about governance and oversight failures within EMPD.
• Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi: Suspended EMPD deputy chief accused of corruption, unlawful operations and links to criminal networks.
• Minister Senzo Mchunu: Suspended police minister implicated in allegations of political interference in policing matters.
• Major-General Anthony Gopaul: Acting head of detectives in KwaZulu-Natal involved in organised crime and murder investigations.
• Major-General Lesetja Senona: Suspended KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head linked to allegations of operational interference.
• Captain Laurance Makgotloe: Senior forensic analyst who testified on laboratory procedures and evidence analysis.
• Brigadier Rachel Matjeng: SAPS quality management head involved in forensic and procedural oversight evidence.
• Advocate Khemraj Behari: Suspended Ekurhuleni Legal and Risk Services head accused of shielding implicated EMPD officials.
• Thuso Keefelakae: IPID acting national head of investigations who testified about probes into police corruption and criminality.
• Senior Investigator Nomsa Masuku: IPID investigator involved in EMPD corruption probes.
• Assistant Director Thulani Magagula: IPID official linked to investigations into unlawful police operations.
• Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya: Suspended deputy national police commissioner implicated in allegations of interference and abuse of police structures.
• Head of Human Resources Linda Gxasheka: Suspended municipal HR executive linked to EMPD disciplinary and governance matters.
• Major-General Richard Shibiri: National organised crime commander involved in evidence concerning syndicates and drug investigations.
• Suleiman Carrim: Controversial businessman linked during testimony to alleged procurement and criminal networks.
• Chief of Police Yolande Faro: Tshwane Metro Police Department chief questioned over procurement and operational issues inside TMPD.
• Deputy Chief Sean Bolhuis: TMPD deputy chief involved in testimony concerning metro police operations and tenders.
• Director Tshukudu Malatji: TMPD Asset Protection Services director connected to security and procurement matters.
• Deputy Chief Umashi Dlamini: Suspended TMPD executive implicated in corruption and procurement allegations.
• Chief Financial Officer Gareth Mnisi: Suspended Tshwane CFO linked to procurement-related evidence.
• Brigadier Mbangwa Nkhwashu: Acting Sedibeng district commissioner involved in operational evidence.
• Major Lebogang Phiri: Suspended TMPD Road Policing head implicated in corruption allegations.
• Major-General Hendrik Flynn: Senior Hawks organised crime commander involved in anti-drug and organised crime investigations.
• Colonel Jakobus Prinsloo: Former Port Shepstone Hawks commander central to testimony concerning drug operations.
• Colonel Francois Steyn: Hawks commander involved in organised crime and narcotics investigations.
• Warrant Officer Marumo Magane: Commander of the Crime Information Management and Analysis Centre at Zonkizizwe Police Station.
• Warrant Officer Boy Steve Phakula: National Intervention Unit member involved in tactical operations testimony.
• Lieutenant-Colonel Nkwana Sebola: Hawks officer involved in organised crime and operational investigations.
