SA Police Corruption Exposed: Madlanga Inquiry Begins Sept 17

What You Need to Know About the High-Stakes Investigation That Could Reshape Law Enforcement

PRETORIA - Tomorrow marks the beginning of what many are calling the most significant corruption inquiry in South Africa's democratic history. The commission, led by retired Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, will investigate alleged corruption within the country's criminal justice system. KwaZulu-Natal SAPS Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi is expected to be the first witness, testifying for three to four days.

After months of delays and political maneuvering, the Madlanga Commission is finally set to expose the truth behind allegations that have shaken South Africa's law enforcement to its core.

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

The Bombshell That Started It All

The commission, set up by President Cyril Ramaphosa, comes more than two months after KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi broke rank and exposed what many are calling an indictment on the country's criminal justice system.

On July 6, 2025, in an unprecedented move that sent shockwaves through government corridors, General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, head of the police in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, called for a press conference Sunday and claimed that Senzo Mchunu and Shadrack Sibiya had interfered with sensitive police investigations. He also alleged both men disbanded a crucial crime-fighting unit.

General Lt Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has won the hearts of many South Africans for his unwavering commitment to justice and unapologetic stance against corruption. His explosive revelations have made him a household name and the face of a growing anti-corruption movement after alleging that senior politicians and police leaders are entangled in a syndicate that obstructs justice in South Africa.

The Devastating Allegations

The scope of Mkhwanazi's claims is staggering. He alleged that police minister Senzo Mchunu interfered with sensitive police investigations and colluded with criminal syndicates to protect politically connected individuals from prosecution and claimed to have uncovered evidence of a vast criminal network involving politicians, senior police officials, and business leaders.

He also made a range of allegations, claiming, among others, political interference in the demise of the PKTT; the existence of a potentially corrupt relationship between the Minister of Police, Mr Senzo Mchunu, and certain individuals; and the existence of an organised crime syndicate operating at the highest levels of government.

What the Commission Will Investigate

Ramaphosa established the "Judicial Commission of Inquiry into criminality, political interference, and corruption in the Criminal Justice System arising from the specific allegations made public by Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on 6 July 2025.

The commission's mandate includes investigating:

• Political interference in sensitive police investigations
• Corruption networks involving senior officials
• The disbanding of specialized crime-fighting units
• Collusion between politicians and criminal syndicates
• Obstruction of justice at institutional levels

The Man Leading the Inquiry

Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, a respected retired Constitutional Court judge, chairs the commission. Madlanga announced a team of 12 to be led by him as chairperson of the commission. Known for his integrity and legal expertise, Madlanga's appointment has been welcomed by civil society organizations.

The Rocky Road to Hearings

The commission's journey has been far from smooth. The commission, headed by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, previously announced it will start its hearings on 1 September but today it became apparent that the commission is not ready to proceed on that day. "It is especially concerning that the delay seems to be due to public servants not executing their duties timeously.

The Khampepe Commission was announced and appointed on the 29 May 2025 and the Madlanga Commission was appointed on 13 July2025. On the 19th August 2025, regulations for the both Khampepe and Madlanga Commissions were gazetted that meant the Commission would effectively be able to meet and function properly.

READ: General Mkhwanazi Accuses Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of Political Interference

What to Expect Tomorrow

When hearings commence tomorrow, all eyes will be on Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi as the star witness. His testimony is expected to provide detailed evidence supporting his explosive claims, including:

• Documentation of alleged interference in investigations
• Communications between officials and suspected criminals
• Evidence of the dismantling of specialized units
• Details about the organized crime syndicate

The Stakes Couldn't Be Higher

This inquiry represents more than just another commission - it's a potential turning point for South African law enforcement. The allegations strike at the heart of the country's ability to combat crime and corruption effectively.

Government under pressure as provincial police commissioner claims country's police chief colluded with criminal gangs. The credibility of entire institutions hangs in the balance.

Public Reaction and Support

After a troubling briefing today by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the DA has written to National Assembly Speaker, Thoko Didiza, for an urgent debate in Parliament on corruption within the South African Police Services (SAPS).

The public response has been overwhelmingly supportive of Mkhwanazi's courage in speaking out. Social media campaigns have elevated him to hero status, with many South Africans seeing him as a rare example of principled leadership in law enforcement.

The Bigger Picture

This commission comes at a critical time for South Africa's democracy. With crime rates soaring and public trust in institutions eroding, the Madlanga Commission represents a crucial test of the country's commitment to accountability and the rule of law.

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has suspended the police minister and launched a sweeping inquiry into alleged sabotage at the highest levels of law enforcement.

What Happens Next?

The commission has been given a tight timeline to complete its work. Commission of inquiry timeline 'quite tight', says Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, indicating the urgency with which this matter is being treated.

The hearings will be conducted in public, allowing South Africans to witness firsthand the evidence of alleged corruption within their law enforcement agencies. The commission's findings could lead to:

• Criminal prosecutions of implicated officials
• Structural reforms within SAPS
• Policy changes to prevent future interference
• Restoration of disbanded specialized units

A Defining Moment

Tomorrow's commencement of the Madlanga Commission hearings marks a defining moment for South African democracy. Will the country's institutions prove capable of holding powerful figures accountable, or will this become another exercise in political theater?

Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi's willingness to risk his career for the truth has already inspired a nation. Now, the Madlanga Commission must prove that his courage was not in vain.

The eyes of South Africa - and the world - will be watching as Justice Madlanga gavels the hearings to order tomorrow morning. What unfolds in that hearing room could determine whether South Africa's criminal justice system can be saved from the corruption that threatens to destroy it.

BREAKING: The commission hearings will be broadcast live, allowing the public to witness this historic inquiry unfold in real-time. Don't miss what could be the most important testimony in South African legal history.