Pretoria: At least 14 high-ranking South African Police Service (SAPS) and Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) officials have been referred for investigation after being identified as possible wrongdoers by the Madlanga Commission.
According to South African Government News Agency, a statement was released by the Presidency on the interim report of the Madlanga Commission. The Commission submitted its interim report and recommendations to President Cyril Ramaphosa in December last year, which he has since studied and accepted.
The Presidency’s statement mentioned that President Ramaphosa welcomes the referrals by the Commission for immediate criminal investigation and urgent decisions on prosecution, as well as recommendations on the employment status and recommended suspension of individuals. The Commission, following its terms of reference, makes several referrals concerning matters that require immediate further investigation by relevant law enforcement institutions, including criminal investigations. Recommendations for disciplinary actions against individuals allegedly involved in wrongdoing, including criminal acts and corruption, were also made.
The Commission made referrals for investigation where it found prima facie evidence of wrongdoing. These investigations are to be carried out by the SAPS, Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), and EMM. The matters highlighted for referral concern allegations of criminality, corruption, fraud, murder, perjury, and other unlawful actions by officials and officers in the employ of the SAPS, City of Ekurhuleni, and the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD). Where IPID is already engaged with certain matters, the Commission will make a referral to IPID on the status of their investigations and seek explanations for any delays.
The referrals relate to several SAPS officials, including Major General Lesetja Senona, Major General Richard Shibiri, Brigadier Mbangwa Nkhwashu, Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, and Sergeant Fannie Nkosi. The commission also found prima facie evidence of wrongdoing regarding several current and former employees of the EMM, such as Suspended EMPD Chief of Police Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi, EMPD Officer Bafana Twala, and others.
President Ramaphosa expects all law enforcement agencies and other relevant criminal justice institutions to act swiftly in implementing the recommendations of the Commission’s interim report. Such immediate action is anticipated to restore public trust and strengthen operational capacity in the affected state entities tasked with fighting crime and corruption.
The statement noted that some implicated individuals are expected to return to the Commission to respond to allegations presented against them, and more witnesses are yet to deliver their evidence. While the Commission emphasises that, with the exception of EMPD Chief Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi, it has not yet heard the response of some of the relevant persons listed, the allegations against them remain prima facie allegations only and are not findings of the Commission. The nature of these allegations warrants referrals for further investigation and potential disciplinary, prosecutorial, or regulatory action.
Minister of Police Professor Firoz Cachalia and SAPS National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola have been directed to constitute a special investigations task team with its leader to report directly to the Commissioner. The task team will institute investigations against individuals identified by the Commission for investigation, ensuring these investigations occur as a matter of urgency.
President Ramaphosa expressed his appreciation to the Commission chairperson, retired Justice Madlanga, Commissioners Baloyi and Khumalo, and all Commission staff for their diligent work in delivering the interim report. The President looks forward to the finalisation of the Commission’s work and its contribution to the effective functioning of law enforcement agencies and the criminal justice system.