By Palesa Matlala
- Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s 6 July 2025 briefing quickly led to the Madlanga Commission and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s suspension.
- Witness Marius van der Merwe was shot dead in December after testifying, and the commission still has no final findings.
A year ago, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made corruption allegations that shook South Africa. Since then, a police minister has been suspended and a witness has been murdered.
Mkhwanazi held a media briefing on 6 July 2025, exactly a year ago today. He accused senior politicians, police leaders and businesspeople of interfering in criminal investigations and protecting organised crime.
Within days, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu was placed on special leave. Professor Firoz Cachalia was appointed acting police minister.
On 5 December, Marius van der Merwe, known to the commission as Witness D, was shot dead outside his home in Brakpan after giving evidence. He owned a private security company. A suspect was arrested in March.
Mkhwanazi claimed the Political Killings Task Team was deliberately weakened while investigating politically sensitive murders. He said 121 case dockets were removed from the team and left unattended in Pretoria.
He also alleged that politicians, police officers, judges and businesspeople formed part of organised criminal networks. One name raised repeatedly was businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who Mkhwanazi said received a R228 million SAPS contract before his arrest in a separate attempted murder case.
The commission has since heard evidence from police officials, politicians and other witnesses for months. Its first interim report recommended some matters be referred for criminal prosecution, and Ramaphosa accepted those recommendations.
A year on, many of the allegations remain unproven. The commission has not reached final findings, and more witnesses are expected to testify before its work ends this year.
Pictured above: A year after Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi spoke out, the fallout has cost a minister his job and a witness his life.
Image source: File
