Author: Kgaogelo Magolego

The Madlanga Commission is expected on Wednesday to turn its attention to alleged police hit squads operating in KwaZulu-Natal, with testimony set to focus on claims that members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) carried out extra-judicial killings while operating under the guise of a task team. Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels said on Tuesday that the new line of inquiry would examine allegations involving police members who allegedly targeted suspects in cash-in-transit (CIT) robberies, taxi operators and members of drug syndicates. “The Commission will today shift its focus to alleged hit squads operating in KwaZulu-Natal and consisting of members…

Chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, Mbuyiseli Madlanga, has slammed National Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams for showing disregard for the inquiry. This comes after the suspended MP failed to submit an affidavit in support of his testimony over a period of nine months. Adams only submitted his affidavit late on Sunday night and blamed a faulty computer for the delay, an explanation dismissed by the commission chairperson. “Parliament can confirm that I have a very problematic laptop and, actually, my laptop is either in for repairs or frozen.…

The ANC has a comprehensive offering to South Africans for the upcoming Local Government Elections that does not depend on individual mayoral candidates. This is according to Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, who was briefing the media on the sidelines of the party’s Special National Executive Committee meeting in Boksburg. Mbalula said while each of its more than 10,000 councillor candidates was equal to the task, they should not be viewed in isolation, as the party placed greater value on its “people-centred” manifesto. He said the party would only announce its mayoral candidates in the lead-up to the manifesto launch, scheduled to…

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula says former minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma must either apologise for alleging he bought votes during the ANC’s 2022 elective conference or defend her claims in court. Mbalula was speaking on the sidelines of the ANC’s Special National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Boksburg, where he confirmed he has instructed his lawyers to demand that Dlamini-Zuma retract or clarify the allegations. He insisted the claims have damaged his reputation and challenged the veteran ANC leader to produce evidence to support her accusations. “It can’t be resolved either way other than through the courts. No individual has the right,…

Another witness has described an atmosphere of fear and intimidation at IDAC, where staff were allegedly pressured into conducting unlawful investigations and pursuing malicious prosecutions. Matthews Sesoko, Head of Investigations and Operations at IDAC, admitted that he kept a low profile and never questioned decisions made by the institution’s then head, Andrea Johnson, and those close to her. Sesoko appeared reluctant to mention Johnson by name, consistently referring to her as the “IG”, but the commission insisted that he identify her directly. “And what I went through… Sometimes, standing up against things that are wrong, you end up becoming a…

ActionSA Member of Parliament Darlene James has responded on social media after being implicated during testimony at the Madlanga Commission in connection with allegations of an alleged plot to remove National Police Commissioner Major-General Fannie Masemola. According to testimony by IDAC prosecutor Drushantha Ramsamy, the alleged plan was discussed within the anti-corruption unit and involved James, National Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams, and DA policing spokesperson Ian Cameron as alleged role players. Ramsamy continued her testimony on Wednesday, telling the commission that there was an alleged plan to create a situation in which Masemola could be accused of misleading Parliament…

International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola has condemned reports that citizens from African countries supporting the global reparations campaign are facing increased visa rejections, warning that no nation should be punished for pursuing what he described as a legitimate demand for historical justice. Speaking at a media briefing on Wednesday, Lamola said it would be unfair and unreasonable for Western countries to use visa policies to pressure African governments into abandoning calls for reparations for colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade. His remarks follow reports by immigration advocacy organisations that visa applications from citizens of some African countries are being rejected…

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation is moving to limit former president Jacob Zuma’s foreign travel. The move comes after the former president undertook a series of international trips, with the government particularly concerned about his visits to Morocco and, later, India. While in the North African state, Zuma displayed the national flag and endorsed Morocco’s continued occupation of Western Sahara, contradicting the positions of both the South African government and the ANC, the liberation movement he led for decades and which later propelled him to become head of state. Zuma, who remained active in politics after his removal…

Former President Jacob Zuma has reshuffled the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party’s top leadership, removing several senior figures as he strengthens his grip on the organisation. Former Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe has been removed as the party’s First Deputy President and replaced by Zuma’s son, Duduzane Zuma. Tony Yengeni remains the party’s Second Deputy President. Former Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko has also been relieved of his duties as National Chairperson, while Nomsa Dlamini has been removed as Deputy Secretary-General. Known for making late-night leadership changes, Zuma did not provide specific reasons for the reshuffle, saying only that the changes were…

Disgraced former IDAC head Andrea Johnson and her close ally, senior prosecutor Brian Padayachee, allegedly disregarded evidence to prosecute individuals they had targeted. This was the testimony of Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions at IDAC, Advocate Peter Serunye, before the Madlanga Commission. He referred to several cases, including that involving former Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo, Brigadier Dineo Mokwele and others who were charged in connection with Mokwele’s appointment within the South African Police Service (SAPS). Serunye expressed disappointment with his former superior, Andrea Johnson, and senior prosecutor Brian Padayachee, whom he accused of misleading both him and a junior…