Author: Kgaogelo Magolego
In a dramatic escalation of accountability measures, the City of Ekurhuleni has placed its embattled Deputy Chief of Police, Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi, on immediate suspension following damning testimony at the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Alleged Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System—widely known as the Madlanga Commission. The suspension, confirmed in an official statement on Tuesday, comes just days after retired Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Commissioner Revo Spies delivered a chilling two-day account of alleged atrocities committed under Mkhwanazi’s command. Spies accused the deputy chief and members of his elite “specialised unit” of torturing…
The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) is harbouring dangerous criminals who are being shielded from accountability by senior officials and politicians. That’s according to former EMPD deputy chief Revo Spies, who made explosive claims before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in Pretoria, echoing earlier allegations by his suspended boss, Chief Jabulani Mapiyeye. Mapiyeye previously told the inquiry that one of his deputies, Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi, was running a “criminal outlet” within the department, and had authorised the illegal use of blue lights and police registration plates on vehicles owned by alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. While Mapiyeye focused on abuse of power and irregular appointments, Spies went…
The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) has stirred political controversy after summoning ANC NEC member and former Cabinet Minister Malusi Gigaba in connection with alleged corruption linked to Transnet tenders. Gigaba confirmed on Thursday morning that he had been summoned to appear in court, where he expected to be charged. However, the IDAC later clarified that he had not been arrested and would not be making any court appearance on the day. “Kindly note that Mr Malusi Gigaba has not been placed under arrest. He is engaging IDAC, and there will be no court appearance today. IDAC will not be…
As the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry continues in Pretoria, shocking new testimony has shed light on the alleged criminal influence of businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala within the City of Ekurhuleni and its police department. Appearing before the commission on Thursday, suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) chief, Jabulani Mapiyeye, described a culture of lawlessness and political interference that he said crippled his leadership and enabled Matlala’s growing influence. According to Mapiyeye, senior officials in the municipality “usurped” his powers, interfered with recruitment processes, and sidelined him from key operational decisions. “They acted as if I was not there,” he told…
Des van Rooyen has broken his own record of being the politician to serve the shortest time in office.Van Rooyen has been removed from his position as Chief Whip of uMkhonto weSizwe Party barely 24 hours after taking over from Colleen Makhubele who was removed from the post on Wednesday morning.Upon his return from Burkina Faso where he spent several days, MKP leader Jacob Zuma reversed the decision to fire Makhubele and suspended his deputy John Hlophe for the move, effectively reversing van Rooyen’s appointment and in the process making him break his own record, set when he served as…
Crime Intelligence head Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo detailed his bewilderment over a botched directive to dismantle the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) during his ongoing testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into criminality, political interference, and corruption in South Africa’s criminal justice system. Khumalo, resuming his evidence on Wednesday, described receiving a perplexing letter from suspended Deputy National Commissioner Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya—purportedly on instructions from Police Minister Senzo Mchunu—demanding a report justifying the PKTT’s disbandment. The team, formed in 2018 to probe politically motivated murders primarily in KwaZulu-Natal, was abruptly ordered dissolved on December 31, 2024, just seven months into…
Des van Rooyen has once once again got a late night nod to take up a position of authority.Van Rooyen was announced overnight as uMkhonto weSizwe Party’s new parliamentary Chief Whip replacing Colleen Makhubele who held the position for just a few months marked by allegations of bullying, nepotism and recently claims that she could be spying for the Israeli intelligence service Mozart. “The MKP has full confidence that under his stewardship as Chief Whip the parliamentary caucus will be strengthened, disciplined and more strategically aligned with the party’s objective of the total liberation of our people,” said MKP in…
The situation remains tensed in the Johannesburg CBD where informal traders, mostly foreign nationals are resisting a clean up campaign initiated by mayor Dada Morero. The Socio Economic Rights Institute (SERI) dragged the City of Joburg to court claiming the clean up campaign is displacing the city’s poorest as well as destroying livelihoods and on Monday the high court in Johannesburg ordered the municipality to start verifying the credentials of the 500 or so hawkers then issue those who qualify with trading permits. The municipality said it will not waste time and vowed to meet the court’s November 19th deadline.…
Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has issued a stern warning to informal traders who were removed from De Villiers Street, urging them not to return to their trading spots while legal proceedings over the city’s CBD clean-up campaign continue. The warning came after the Johannesburg High Court on Friday postponed deliberations in a case brought by the Socio-Economic Rights Institute (SERI) against the City of Johannesburg. SERI alleges that the city’s operation, led by Morero himself, has displaced vulnerable informal traders and destroyed livelihoods — an accusation the metro strongly denies. Morero told hundreds of residents gathered outside the court that…
A tense situation unfolded outside the Johannesburg High Court as the Socio-Economic Rights Institute (SERI) challenged the legality of City of Joburg Mayor Dada Morero’s clean-up campaign targeting the CBD. SERI alleges the campaign disrupts livelihoods and displaces the city’s poorest residents. Morero attended the proceedings in person on Friday. Outside the court, supporters of the mayor—including groups from the ANC, Operation Dudula, and Action SA—demonstrated in favor of the clean-up. Meanwhile, a large group of African migrants staged a competing protest, with police using tape to separate the opposing groups. Operation Dudula activist Sibongile Maseko said, “We are with…