FIVE senior South African Police Service officers and nine current and former Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality employees face criminal investigations and potential prosecution after President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday directed law enforcement agencies to act on recommendations from the Madlanga Commission.
The directive follows the submission of an interim report by the Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, which found prima facie evidence of wrongdoing, including corruption, fraud, murder, and perjury.
Among the SAPS officers referred for investigation are Major General Lesetja Senona, Major General Richard Shibiri, Brigadier Mbangwa Nkhwashu, Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, and Sergeant Fannie Nkosi.
The nine individuals from Ekurhuleni include suspended EMPD Chief of Police Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi, EMPD officers Bafana Twala, Aiden McKenzie, and Kershia Leigh Stols, former City Manager Dr Imogen Mashazi, fleet manager Chris Steyn, Head of Human Resources Linda Gxasheka, Head of Legal Advocate Kemi Behari, and Etienne van der Walt.
Ramaphosa has ordered Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola to establish a special investigations task team with a leader reporting directly to Masemola. The unit will handle the urgent investigations.
The commission, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, was established in July 2025 following allegations by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi about a sophisticated criminal syndicate infiltrating South Africa’s criminal justice system.
While the commission noted that most implicated individuals have not yet responded to the allegations against them, the nature of the accusations warranted immediate referrals for investigation and potential disciplinary or prosecutorial action.
“President Ramaphosa expects all law enforcement agencies and other relevant criminal justice institutions to act with speed in implementing the recommendations of the Commission’s interim report,” the Presidency said in a statement.
