The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed that disciplinary investigations are ongoing against members whose names were mentioned at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and the Ad Hoc Committee.
This was announced during a media briefing in Pretoria by National Police Commissioner Fanie Masemola, alongside National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Andy Mothibi on Friday, February 6.
Speaking at the briefing, Masemola said that following the interim findings presented at the commissions, he had established a dedicated task team of senior officers on November 11, 2025.
He explained that the team’s mandate is to monitor evidence led at the commissions, identify subordinates implicated in misconduct, and ensure that disciplinary investigations are initiated where credible information exists.
Masemola said the team is also tasked with making sure all disciplinary processes are followed in accordance with SAPS regulations.
“On the Madlanga Commission, we take this opportunity to apprise you on the work that has already been done, emanating from the evidence that has been given at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and the ADOP Committee. On 11 November 2025, I established and appointed a task team of skilled senior officers who were mandated to do the following: Monitor evidence led at the commissions and identify names of sub-employees who were implicated to ensure that disciplinary investigations are initiated in cases where there is credible information that may lead to misconduct. This team would ultimately ensure that disciplinary processes are followed in line with the sub’s disciplinary regulations,” Masemola said.
He added that members mentioned at both commissions have already been identified. “We cannot at this stage, of course, mention their names, but as the cases are still under investigation, all the affected members have received the notices of investigation into the alleged misconduct. Hearings and investigations are at an advanced stage, and, of course, there are those that are already on suspension,” Masemola said.
Regarding members who are still under consideration for suspension, Masemola explained: “From the four members, another four members that have already been serving with notice of intended suspension are still being considered for their representation. You should be aware that there were five names from the Madlanga Commission that were referred to us, and one is already suspended while the investigation for the others is ongoing, with their notice of suspension still under consideration at this stage.”
He also addressed the recommendations received from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) regarding the April 2022 murder of Emmanuel Mbhense in Ekurhuleni. “We have also received the IPID recommendation regarding the April 2022 murder of Emmanuel Mbhense, which relates to the Ekurhuleni case. This week, we received the recommendation, and it is important to mention that the sub had already initiated its own internal departmental investigation in this regard. Of course, the criminal investigation was conducted by IPID on two police officers that are implicated,” he said.
Advocate Andy Mothibi of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) praised the establishment of the task team and emphasised the importance of fast-tracking investigations and prosecutions following the interim report submitted by the commission.
“NPA appreciates the importance of fast-tracking investigations and prosecutions, following the interim report submitted by the Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry to the President. As we indicated, we really welcome the decision of the president to recommend the establishment of this task team in response to the recommendations of the commission. As the National Commissioner indicated, the task team will comprise investigators and state advocates who are state prosecutors,” Mothibi said.
He explained that the task team will operate using a prosecutor-guided investigation model, which allows for real-time guidance and assessment of evidence, enabling quicker prosecutorial decisions.
“The state advocates and state prosecutors, of course, are allocated to this task team to facilitate what is called prosecutor-guided investigations. As you may be aware, prosecutor-guided investigations provide real-time guidance to investigators as they gather evidence and real-time assessment of the evidence thus gathered to ultimately enable speedy prosecutorial decisions. We are awake to the agency of these investigations, and we therefore will allocate these state advocates and state prosecutors permanently to this task team,” Mothibi said.
He added that the Asset Forfeiture Unit will also be integrated into the task team to ensure swift action where needed. “This model is designed to ensure swift and effective investigations that see prosecutors and investigators working closely and managing investigations which should culminate in prosecution. I’d like to indicate that a related aspect, amongst other aspects, would be the involvement of the asset forfeiture unit. So members of the asset forfeiture unit will also be allocated to the task team,” Mothibi said.
“There is a high possibility that as the investigation unfolds, there will be a need for intervention by the asset forfeiture unit. This approach is critical in upholding the rule of law and swift justice and ensuring that those responsible for the identified criminality are held accountable, thereby enforcing the principle that no one is above the law.”
“By acting promptly on the Commission’s interim findings, the law enforcement agencies demonstrate their commitment to transparency, accountability, and helping to rebuild trust in our institutions and the entire criminal justice system, and of course, enhancing the rule of law. This will be structured collaborative work undertaken by all partners within the law enforcement agencies with a view to ensure prosecutors present formidable cases before our courts,” Mothibi said.
Saturday Star