Another task team for Madlanga recommendations

CRIMINAL referrals, potential suspensions, and the formation of a special police task team are some of the measures on the cards after President Cyril Ramaphosa accepted the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry’s recommendations on Thursday. 

Ramaphosa directed Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia and National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola to establish a special investigations task team, reporting directly to Masemola, to fast-track the cases flagged in the report.

“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.

“Such immediate action will help to restore public trust and strengthen operational capacity in the affected state entities tasked with fighting crime and corruption,” the presidency said in a statement.

Ramaphosa established the inquiry on July 13 in light of the allegations by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Mkhwanazi lifted the lid about how a sophisticated criminal syndicate had infiltrated law enforcement and justice institutions, compromising investigations, prosecutions, and internal accountability.

Chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga and supported by Advocates Sesi Baloyi SC and Sandile Khumalo SC, the commission submitted its interim report on December 17, 2025.

The commission identified prima facie evidence of criminal conduct and corruption, prompting immediate referrals for criminal investigation, urgent prosecutorial decisions, and disciplinary action.

The allegations span crimes including fraud, corruption, perjury and murder.

Implicated individuals including Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu who has since been placed on enforced leave, suspended deputy police commissioner, Shadrack Sibiya, Mchunu’s chief of staff, Cedric Nkabinde, Tommy Mthombeni and Brown Mogotsi do not feature on the list of those who should face criminal charges. 

The referrals include five senior South African Police Service officials: Major Generals Lesetja Senona and Richard Shibiri, Brigadiers Mbangwa Nkhwashu and Rachel Matjeng, and Sergeant Fannie Nkosi.

The commission also found prima facie evidence implicating current and former officials of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department.

Among them are suspended EMPD Chief Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi, several EMPD officers, former Ekurhuleni City Manager Dr Imogen Mashazi, and senior officials responsible for fleet management, human resources and legal services.

Where investigations are already under way, including at the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), the commission will demand updates and explanations for delays.

Cape Times