Madlanga Commission | Mkhwanazi: Justice system under siege by syndicates

KwaZulu Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, gave his long awaited testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, detailing allegations of a criminal syndicate infiltrating the justice system, political interference, and systemic corruption within law enforcement.

The commission was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa to probe allegations Mkhwanazi made in a briefing on the 6th of July.

Evidence leader, Advocate Terry Motau, outlined that the commission’s proceedings will be divided into three phases, starting with Mkhwanazi’s testimony, followed by witnesses and concluding with Mkhwanazi’s opportunity to respond to conflicting evidence.

Mkhwanazi told the commission on Wednesday, that his July briefing, which led to the suspension of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, was prepared in collaboration with various units and was not a solo decision.

The commissioner said his aim was to expose how criminal elements have compromised the justice system over a prolonged period.

Mkhwanazi explained to the commission that the motive for political killings in KZN is often linked to the allocation of tenders to politically connected individuals.

Mkhwanazi stated that municipal CFOs who award tenders to businesses or individuals without political ties frequently become targets.

With over 300 case dockets linked to political killings in the province—90 of them high-profile—Mkhwanazi revealed that funding and approval have now been secured for the political killings task team for the rest of the financial year.

The task team, which had been allegedly disbanded, was effectively reinstated when National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola ordered 121 dockets to be returned to it on August 28.

The commissioner further testified that the killing of Vereeniging-based engineer and Transnet whistleblower Armand Swart, was due to organized crime and police corruption.

He alleged that the AK-47 used in Swart’s murder was ballistically linked to the assassinations of DJ Sumbody and businessman Don Tindleni.

Mkhwanazi stated that the investigation into Swart’s murder was obstructed, with the initial five-person team being reduced to just two officers after they were allegedly intimidated.

He also claimed the remaining investigators were subjected to bribes by senior police officials.

The alleged killers in the Swart case were named as Michael Pule Tau, Musa Kekana, and Dany Mabusela, with businessman Katiso ‘KT’ Molefe accused of masterminding the plot.

The KZN police boss also told the commission that after the task team was allegedly disbanded by Mchunu, his office was “bombarded” with calls and queries from the families of political killing victims. He said that although he never received a direct order from Mchunu, a letter authorizing the disbandment was  sent to him, because according to the minister, the task team had no value.

Mkhwanazi revealed that the now-suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner, Shadrack Sibiya, informed him that the task team’s dockets were to be transferred from KZN to Gauteng.

He said he called National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola, to confirm this, but Masemola stated he was unaware of such an order and even provided a sworn affidavit to that effect.

Mkhwanazi noted that Mchunu had told Parliament he had President Cyril Ramaphosa’s permission for the decision, yet Masemola was not informed.

The 53-year-old police commissioner is expected to continue with his testimony for the next consecutive five days.

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe