Police Minister Senzo Mchunu was suspended In July 2025 a day after the commission was established.
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into corruption has triggered the suspension of 18 top SAPS officials, including National Police Commission General Fannie Masemola and Deputy National Commissioner Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu was suspended on July 13, 2025, a day after the commission was established but ongoing testimony has seen serious allegations emerge, exposing the relationships between wealth and power business owners, fixers and in some cases, police generals.
The list also includes four officers from Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) and one from Tswane Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD).
Professor Johan Burger, an independent crime and policing consultant said the large number of suspensions was exposing the relationships and toxic arrangements in the police service.
“It is encouraging that there is action taken on the basis of evidence that came before the commission.
“I am confident that once the commission completes its work and it submits its findings, there will be more criminal investigation and prosecutions,” said Burger.
He said the commission has created an environment that has enabled the exposure of 'rotten apples within the criminal justice system'.
“I am certain that the commission will accomplish its mission if they carry on the way that they are doing,” he said.
Madlanga Commission Madlanga commissioners Adv. Sesi Baloyi SC, retired Judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga and Adv. Sandile Khumalo SC have been commended for their work in exposing wrongdoings in the police force.
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
He said the establishment of the special investigations task team was helping the commission to accomplish its mission.
“We must keep in mind that the commission is not a criminal investigating body, but it is a commission of inquiry.
“The task team, which is made up of the Hawks and National Prosecuting Authority, has to do the criminal investigation and then decide whether someone needs to be prosecuted,” said Burger.
The Madlanga Commission was established after a July 6, 2025, press briefing held in Durban in which KwaZulu-Natal police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi shocked the nation by claiming that police at high levels had conspired with criminal syndicates to break the law and undermine the criminal justice system.
A parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee also conducted a separate investigation.
Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu of disbanding the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) on 31 December 2024 without consultation and also of allegedly cooperating with criminal syndicate leaders such as Matlala.
Masemola, Sibiya, KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head, Major-General Lesetja Senona and SAPS Employee Health and Wellness Head, Major-General Busisiwe Temba are facing criminal charges related to a R360 million SAPS health tender awarded to Medicare24 Tshwane District, which is owned by businessman, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Other officers suspended and being investigated in connection to the Medicare 24 contract are Captain Brian Neville, Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, Brigadier Alpheus Thembinkosi Ngema, Brigadier Patrick Nethengwe, Brigadier Kirsty Jonker, Brigadier Petunia Reabetsoe Lenono, Brigadier Onica Ofentse Tlhoale, Colonel Nonjabulo Nomfundo Mngadi, Colonel Anton Paulsen and Colonel Natsenge Johannes Monyai.
Most recently two high-ranking police officials, Gauteng Hawks head Ebrahim Kadwa, who testified at the commission, and Crime Intelligence Major-General Feroz Khan, were arrested for allegedly dealing in unlawful possession of precious metals.
Mkhwanazi named Khan at the Madlanga commission as a “a political fixer who enjoyed protection from politicians".
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said it was a concern that a number of police officers are currently suspended.
“However, the SAPS is a large establishment with operational measures in place to ensure continuity in policing services, including the appointment of acting personnel where necessary.
“Despite these challenges, police operations across the country continue without interruption.''