By Marcus Moloko
This week marks exactly a year since KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi stunned the nation with explosive allegations at a media briefing, accusing politicians, senior police officers and businesspeople of enabling criminal syndicates to penetrate the criminal justice system.
That ripple, a year later, continues to reshape the country’s law enforcement and political landscape.
On 6 July 2025, Mkhwanazi, dressed in Special Task Force fatigues and flanked by armed officers, alleged that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya dismantled the KZN Political Killings Task Team and seized 121 sensitive dockets, effectively sabotaging investigations.
Mkhwanazi’s claims triggered immediate political fallout and the establishment of the Madlanga Commission.
President Cyril Ramaphosa placed Mchunu on a leave of absence and appointed Professor Firoz Cachalia as acting Minister of Police. Parliament established an ad hoc committee to probe the allegations.
The public hearings of the Madlanga Commission began with Mkhwanazi as the first witness. He warned that if the alleged sabotage of the criminal justice system was not confronted, the system itself risked collapse.
Mkhwanazi pointed to several key figures involved in the alleged capture of the criminal justice system. Among them was businessman and attempted murder accused Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala.
Matlala’s company, Medicare24, benefited from an irregular SAPS health and wellness tender valued at about R228 million. The contract was later cancelled.
Matlala has since made plea admissions to fraud, corruption and money laundering, including that he paid R300,000 to Brigadier Rachel Matjeng to influence the tender.
While the Madlanga Commission was underway in December 2025, Marius van der Merwe, a Brakpan-based security company owner and former Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department official who had testified before the commission as Witness D, was shot dead outside his home in full view of his family.
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In March 2026, Mkhwanazi returned to the ad hoc committee and expanded on claims of political interference, corruption and the alleged abuse of Crime Intelligence resources.
While several of Mkhwanazi’s allegations continue to be tested, the Madlanga Commission has placed Major-General Feroz Khan, the suspended Deputy Head of Crime Intelligence, under scrutiny over untested allegations including procurement manipulation, intelligence leaks and improper links to business figures. Evidence relating to Khan was led in his absence after he was shot and hospitalised, apparently in a failed hit, shortly before he was due to testify.
Over the past 12 months, more than two dozen police and municipal officials have been drawn into criminal cases, disciplinary proceedings, suspensions, dismissals or investigation referrals.
Among the most senior figures is National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, who was placed on precautionary suspension after appearing in court on four charges of contravening the Public Finance Management Act in connection with the Medicare24 contract.
Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, the suspended Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, remains one of the central figures in Mkhwanazi’s allegations over the disbanding of the Political Killings Task Team and the removal of 121 sensitive dockets. Sibiya has denied unlawful interference.
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Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo, the Head of Crime Intelligence, has given evidence before Parliament and the Madlanga Commission about alleged criminal infiltration within SAPS. Separately, he is before the courts in a fraud and corruption case linked to the alleged irregular appointment of an unqualified civilian in Crime Intelligence.
Major-General Feroz Khan, the suspended Deputy Head of Crime Intelligence, has also come under scrutiny before the Madlanga Commission over untested allegations involving procurement irregularities, intelligence leaks and interference in investigations. He was shot and hospitalised shortly before he was scheduled to appear before the commission.
Julius Mkhwanazi, the suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department Deputy Chief, has been arrested in a case involving allegations of fraud, corruption and defeating or obstructing the ends of justice.
Brigadier Rachel Matjeng and Major-General Richard Shibiri have both been dismissed from SAPS following internal disciplinary processes. Matjeng was dismissed after being found guilty of serious misconduct arising from her relationship with Matlala, while Shibiri, the former Component Head for Organised Crime, was dismissed after being found guilty of misconduct that brought SAPS into disrepute.
Other senior officers, including Lieutenant-General Dr Molefe Fani, Lieutenant-General Lineo Nkhuoa and Lieutenant-General Nonkululeko Edith Mavundla, have also been drawn into the widening fallout from the Medicare24 matter through suspensions, notices or calls for further investigation.
The commission is expected to submit its final report to Ramaphosa by 31 August 2026. The president, however, said this week that should the commission request an extension, he would “consider it”.
