On 13 October, the chaos of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry continued to unfold. The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, named after Judge Mbuyiseni Madlanga, is a judicial commission that investigates criminality, political interference, and corruption within the criminal justice system. The ad hoc committee presides over the investigations into the allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. The day started with a debate on whether the Members of Parliament (MPs) who had laid criminal charges against General Shadrack Sibiya should be involved in his questioning, with the matter being deferred to a later meeting. Following this, a few key parties, including Sibiya, gave their testimonies. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who initially decided to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), also gave his testimony to the commission.
Sibiya admitted to having met with Brown Mogotsi, a controversial businessman and alleged ANC “fixer”, and Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, currently being charged with money laundering, conspiracy to commit murder, and attempted murder. Regarding his relationship with Matlala, Sibiya said, “If ever I have met Mr Matlala in my whole life, it is five times or less. It is not someone I was really close to… my interactions with him are very limited.” When he was questioned by the MPs, Sibiya did not give what can be interpreted as “convincing” answers after he denied having the 121 dockets in his office.
Mchunu made some interesting points when explaining why he disbanded the task team. He said that he was “receiving complaints” about how the PKTT was “going rogue” and how it “needed to stop”. He also mentioned that, after briefing him, Ramaphosa agreed that the team needed to be disbanded. Mchunu said, “I briefed the president. He agreed with the briefing I gave him.” During his questioning, Mchunu shared a recording of a conversation between his Chief of Staff and General Mkhwanazi where Mkhwanazi was compelling the Chief of Staff to not stop the PKTT while it is in the middle of investigations.
On 14 October, a witness named “X” was called in to the Inquiry, resulting in more information being brought to light regarding various implicated individuals. While X was presenting evidence, they were interrupted by a safety issue after it was insinuated that their identity could be exposed. Another revelation came from President Cyril Ramaphosa after he admitted to knowing Hangwani Maumela. The president is linked to Maumela through his ex-wife Hope Mudau, Maumela’s aunt and someone who allegedly benefitted from the corruption in Tembisa Hospital. This information came to light after Ramaphosa denied knowing Maumela in 2022 when questioned by John Steenhuisen.
During the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, a decision was made to consider the evidence as confidential and to make it public once the investigations were complete. This week has shown that plenty still needs to be uncovered and additional witnesses need to be brought forward to further expose the flaws in the country’s policing and political systems.
