Fannie Masemola to Testify at Madlanga Commission as SAPS Faces Explosive Allegations

Pretoria, 22 September 2025 – National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola will today appear before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is probing allegations of corruption, political interference, and criminal infiltration within South Africa’s criminal justice system.

Masemola’s testimony comes at a crucial moment, following the explosive evidence given last week by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who accused senior police officers and government figures of sabotaging key investigations into political killings and organised crime.

READ: Madlanga Commission: Day Three Reveals Alleged Political Interference and SAPS Links to Drug Cartels

Why Masemola’s Testimony Matters

Masemola, who has served as National Commissioner of SAPS since May 2022, is expected to respond to claims that top leadership failed to act decisively when syndicates allegedly infiltrated the police service.

Mkhwanazi alleged that:

• Criminal syndicates used political connections to compromise investigations.
• Senior figures in parliament, business, and the executive were implicated in shielding suspects.
• The controversial disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) weakened efforts to prosecute political assassinations.

Importantly, Mkhwanazi suggested that decisions affecting major investigations — including the reassignment of dockets — were taken without Masemola’s direct knowledge or approval.

Background to the Madlanga Commission

The Madlanga Commission was established after Mkhwanazi’s public briefing in July 2025, where he warned that corruption and interference had placed the entire criminal justice system at risk of collapse.

The inquiry has a wide scope, investigating:

• The infiltration of SAPS and intelligence units by criminal cartels.
• Alleged interference by senior politicians in high-profile murder cases.
• The controversial role of senior SAPS generals in disrupting investigations.

With Mkhwanazi’s testimony already dominating headlines, today’s session is expected to test the credibility and accountability of the SAPS top brass.

READ: Day 3 Madlanga Commission: Mkhwanazi Reveals Minister Mchunu's Underworld Associate

What to Expect from Masemola

General Masemola is expected to:

• Clarify his role in the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team.
• Address allegations that dockets were removed from investigative teams.
• Explain how SAPS leadership is dealing with the claims of syndicate infiltration.
• Reassure the public on the future of policing integrity in South Africa.

Analysts believe Masemola’s testimony will either reinforce Mkhwanazi’s explosive claims or challenge them, setting the stage for a high-stakes confrontation at the Commission.

Why This Matters for South Africa

The Commission’s work is not just about police politics — it cuts to the heart of public trust in law enforcement. If the allegations of corruption and political capture within SAPS are substantiated, it could explain why:

• Political killings remain unsolved.
• Whistleblowers face intimidation instead of protection.
• Organised crime continues to flourish in South Africa.

For millions of South Africans, Masemola’s answers may help determine whether the criminal justice system can be restored — or whether deeper reforms are required.

READ: Mkhwanazi Exposes Coordinated Campaign to Destroy Political Killings Task Team | Pointing at Minister Senzo Mchunu and Parliamentarian Fadiel Adams

Final Thoughts

Today’s hearing could prove a turning point for SAPS and the criminal justice system. As General Fannie Masemola testifies, the nation will be watching closely to see if South Africa’s top police officer can restore faith in law enforcement — or whether the Commission will expose even deeper fractures in the system.