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

Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi Exposes Network of Corruption and Drug Cartel Connections

PRETORIA, 10 Sept 2025 - The third day of Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi's testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has sent shockwaves through South Africa's criminal justice system, revealing a complex web of political interference, drug cartel connections, and institutional corruption that reaches the highest levels of government.

READ: Politicians in the Hot Seat — Political leaders face uncertain futures as Madlanga Commission revelations unfold.

Brown Mogosi: The Man with Unprecedented Access

At the center of the explosive revelations is Brown Mogosi, an alleged associate of suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi painted a disturbing picture of Mogosi as someone who enjoys "influence, connectivity, deep connectivity and proximity within SAPS" despite not being a member of the South African Police Services.

The testimony revealed that Mogosi had extraordinary access to confidential SAPS information, including advance knowledge about the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) – information he possessed before Mkhwanazi himself was informed.

WhatsApp Messages Expose Drug Cartel Connections

Evidence presented to the commission included WhatsApp messages retrieved from the phone of Vusimusi Cat Matlala, identified as an alleged drug cartel member. These messages showed Mogosi's deep connections within SAPS and his ability to pass sensitive operational information to suspected criminals.

One particularly damning message saw Mogosi informing Matlala that a task team conducting searches at his home would be disbanded. Another message stated: "today's is the day stand back don't worry" – a reference to the December 31, 2024 letter that would disestablish the political killings task team.

The Wrong Target: Crime Intelligence Unit Under Attack

Mkhwanazi testified that the disbandment of the PKTT was a "missed target." The real objective, he claimed, was to eliminate the Gauteng Crime Intelligence (GCI) operations unit, which was specifically focused on organized crime and drug syndicate cartels operating in KwaZulu-Natal province.

READ: Cat Matlala's Private Cars Fitted with Municipal Blue Lights in Corruption Scandal

This specialized unit had been reinforced with members seconded from KwaZulu-Natal to enhance its multi-disciplinary approach to combating drug cartels allegedly linked to Matlala and other criminal figures.

General Khumalo Case: Judicial System Compromised

The testimony shed new light on the controversial General Khumalo case, where questions arose about whether criminal charges were legitimate or constituted a witch hunt. Mkhwanazi suggested that General Khumalo was deliberately targeted to eliminate the drug cartel investigation.

Most controversially, he implicated the judiciary itself, alleging that the presiding magistrate set "bizarre bail conditions" that made it impossible for investigators to continue their work against the drug cartels. This contrasted sharply with bail conditions set by a different magistrate for the CFO of the crime intelligence unit.

Political Interference at the Highest Levels

The commission heard detailed testimony about political interference involving both former and current ministers:

Former Minister Bheki Cele: Named as one of the key figures involved in political interference in police operations.

Current Minister Senzo Mchunu: Currently on leave of absence/suspension, allegedly connected to Brown Mogosi and implicated in interfering with criminal investigations.

Historical Context: Mkhwanazi referenced seeing patterns reminiscent of past corruption that South Africans thought had been addressed through previous inquiries like the Mokgoro inquiry and Zondo Commission.

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

A Pattern of Obstruction

The testimony revealed a coordinated effort to obstruct investigations into drug cartel operations across multiple institutions within the criminal justice system. This pattern includes:

• Premature disbandment of specialized task teams
• Strategic appointments and removals of key personnel
• Judicial manipulation through selective bail conditions
• Information leaks to suspected criminals
• Political pressure on investigating officers

The Broader Implications

Political analyst Lukon, following the proceedings closely, noted that the evidence demonstrates how politicians maintain "runners" who facilitate interference in police operations. The testimony suggests this interference extends beyond individual cases to systematic undermining of law enforcement efforts against organized crime.

What's Next?

The commission is expected to continue examining these allegations after the lunch adjournment, with further testimony on interference in the criminal justice system. Both Brown Mogosi and Minister Senzo Mchunu will be required to appear before the commission to provide their side of the story.

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

The revelations have raised serious questions about:

• The independence of South Africa's police services
• The integrity of the judicial system
• The extent of political interference in criminal investigations
• The connections between politicians and organized crime

Conclusion

Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi's testimony has exposed what appears to be a sophisticated network designed to protect drug cartels and other criminal enterprises through political interference, judicial manipulation, and the strategic placement of associates within key positions.

As South Africa grapples with high crime rates and drug-related violence, these revelations suggest that the fight against organized crime faces obstacles not just from criminals, but from within the very institutions meant to protect society.

The Madlanga Commission's work has become crucial in determining whether South Africa's democratic institutions can withstand the corrupting influence of organized crime and political interference, or whether deeper reforms are needed to restore public confidence in the criminal justice system.