Power Under Scrutiny: The President and Minister Implicated
Pretoria, South Africa — September 25, 2025
In a moment that may redefine South Africa’s democratic soul, the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has opened its public hearings—unveiling a chilling portrait of corruption, political interference, and criminal syndicate infiltration within the country’s law enforcement and justice systems.
How the Commission Came to Be
The commission was convened by President Cyril Ramaphosa in response to explosive allegations made by Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, KwaZulu-Natal’s Provincial Police Commissioner. In a July press briefing that stunned the nation, Mkhwanazi claimed that organized crime had burrowed deep into the South African Police Service (SAPS)—aided, he said, by powerful figures in government, business, and intelligence.
His words weren’t just a warning. They were a siren.
A Testimony That Shook the Nation
Over three days at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria, Mkhwanazi laid bare a system under siege. He accused suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of dismantling the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT)—allegedly to shield politically connected criminal networks. He also revealed unsettling exchanges with businessman Brown Mogotsi, who, despite holding no official position, allegedly had access to SAPS documents and crime intelligence presentations.
“They gave us a mandate and a responsibility to protect them,” Mkhwanazi said. “If we get to a stage where we are failing… it is important that we alert the citizens that our efforts… are being obstructed.”
Who’s Behind the Commission?
Led by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, the commission includes a formidable team of legal minds and forensic experts. With a budget of R147.9 million, it is tasked with investigating:
- Political interference in SAPS operations
- Corruption within the justice system
- The role of intelligence agencies in shielding criminal networks
Masemola and the Chain of Command
On September 22, National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola testified that Minister Mchunu’s directive to disband the PKTT was an overreach. He explained that while the minister sets policy, operational decisions fall under his jurisdiction as commissioner. Masemola described the directive as an “encroachment” and revealed that he had agreed to a phased approach only because he felt powerless to stop it.
Today’s Testimony: Van Rooyen Clarifies the Law
On September 25, Major-General Petronella van Rooyen, Head of Governance and Legal Services at SAPS, delivered a critical legal interpretation. She stated unequivocally that Deputy Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya had no legal authority to act on Minister Mchunu’s instruction to disband the PKTT. According to SAPS protocol, deputy commissioners report to the national commissioner—not the minister.
“No member may comply with an illegal order,” Van Rooyen said. “The minister does not have the power to issue operational directives. That authority lies with the national commissioner”.
Her testimony lends legal weight to Mkhwanazi’s claims that Mchunu and Sibiya colluded to obstruct investigations and protect criminal syndicates.
Political Shockwaves
The revelations have ignited fierce political debate. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula warned that if Mkhwanazi’s claims are true, “we don’t have a state, we don’t have a government. We are run by cartels and thugs”.
Opposition parties and civil society groups have demanded swift accountability, protection for whistleblowers, and full transparency.
What Comes Next?
The hearings are livestreamed for public access via criminaljusticecommission.org.za. More high-profile testimonies are expected in the coming days, and the nation is watching with bated breath.
This is not just a commission. It’s a confrontation with the ghosts of impunity. And it may yet become the turning point South Africa has long waited for.
