Hearings kicked off again on Monday at the Madlanga Commission in Pretoria, and it’s continuing to turn heads and uncover explosive truths.
Established in July 2025 by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the inquiry is on a mission to root out corruption, criminal syndicates, and political interference that have infiltrated South Africa’s justice system. Chaired by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, the investigation has laid bare shocking evidence of systemic rot across policing.
Evidence leaders pushed for closed-door “in-camera” sessions through the week to shield sensitive witnesses from retaliation by the very syndicates they’re naming (and shaming).
Media giants like News24 and Daily Maverick fought back hard, arguing it slammed the door on press freedom and public transparency. Justice Madlanga brokered a compromise: Witnesses could testify anonymously and remotely, with voices masked and answers relayed through an evidence leader like Advocate Thabang Pooe. Transcripts and exhibits would drop publicly afterwards to keep the light on.
Enter “Witness X” on Tuesday, the star of the show, dropping intel on ongoing probes into syndicate infiltration tied to the shadowy “Big Five” cartel. But technical glitches nearly blew their cover, risking exposure of their identity and sparking a frantic security breach alert. Proceedings ground to a halt mid-testimony on Tuesday and remained postponed yesterday, with the commission scrambling to patch the holes.
Still, “Witness X” brought receipts, WhatsApp chats showing top brass like KZN Hawks head Major General Lesetja Senona, crime expert Calvin Rafadi, and Ekurhuleni Metro Police chief Julius Mkhwanazi allegedly chasing payouts from underworld kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Earlier bombshells dropped by figures like Mkhwanazi and National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola have detailed shocking abuses of power, including illegal task team dissolutions and cartel protection.
Running parallel to the Madlanga Commission’s sweeping judicial probe, Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee on the SAPs has also been grabbing headlines this week. The committee has been juggling many of the same allegations, but has a narrower oversight power. Today and tomorrow, suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu will face questions about his ties to shady underworld figures, with former police minister Bheki Cele slated to follow.
Both inquiries are peeling back layers on a justice system that’s more sieve than shield. As more witnesses step forward, including potentially President Ramaphosa, the pressure is on.
