Author: Kgaogelo Magolego

South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Chief, Rudzani Maphwanya, has vowed that the military will confront criminal groups with decisive force. Maphwanya, who addressed the media alongside National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola, said the state maintains the sole authority to use force and warned that those operating outside the law would face firm action. “We will show criminal elements that this is a state governed by law, and we will enforce that law and order by any means necessary,” said Maphwanya. The joint media briefing followed the decision by President Cyril Ramaphosa to deploy approximately 2,000 SANDF members to areas…

“Police officers are employed to arrest criminals. I have never seen a police officer who fears criminals. A police officer must face criminals. If it means it is a fight, then so be it — and the police must win,” said Masemola. Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseni Madlanga also expressed concern about the generals’ reluctance to identify suspected criminals, warning that such behaviour could undermine public confidence in law enforcement. “I understand that the general is a human being like the rest of us and may fear for his life. However, it is concerning that a general — the head of…

The Madlanga Commission has agreed to provide security protection to suspended SAPS head of organised crime, Major-General Richard Shibiri, after he raised concerns about his safety during testimony. Shibiri declined to publicly name individuals he believes are relevant to the commission’s investigation, stating that some of them are dangerous. The commission suspects that Shibiri may have information about the so-called “Big 5”, an alleged criminal cartel whose existence has not yet been confirmed. During proceedings, the commission played a recording of a phone conversation between Shibiri and Witness A, a member of the Political Killings Task Team. In the call,…

The Madlanga Commission believes there is enough evidence to prove that top police officials plotted to have blogger Musa Khawula arrested. On Thursday, the commission presented the SAPS’ suspended head of organised crime, Major-General Richard Shibiri, with WhatsApp exchanges between himself and Sergeant Fannie Nkosi, during which they appear to be updating each other on what has been shown to be joint efforts to build a criminal case against Khawula. Alleged criminal mastermind Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala had complained to his “friends” in the SAPS that Khawula was damaging his reputation in a social media post and had been assisting a…

Mbuyiseli Madlanga, chairperson of the Madlanga Commission, has warned the lawyer for businessman Sulieman Carrim to “tow the line” or face consequences after a heated exchange during proceedings. The warning came after Carrim’s attorney, Rafik Bhana, suggested that Madlanga had prejudged a postponement application his client intended to bring. After reprimanding Bhana for the remark, Madlanga demanded an apology — but rejected the one that followed. “It seems then that you’ve prejudged an application,” Bhana said, prompting a stern response from the chair. “Mr Bhana, I take strong exception to that. Judges engage counsel all the time to the extent…

Businessman Suleiman Carrim has been told he will be held accountable for his role in alleged tender-rigging at Tembisa Hospital, in which an estimated R2 billion was siphoned out through procurement processes that are now subject to multiple investigations, including by the Special Investigative Unit. Carrim unsuccessfully tried to have the commission ignore the SIU report into Tembisa Hospital, suggesting the matter was not part of its terms of reference. In his rebuttal, Evidence Leader Mathew Chaskalson said the inquiry believed Carrim worked closely with controversial mystery businessman Hangwani Maumela and alleged criminal mastermind Vusimuzi Cat Matlala to steal tenders…

Businessman and ANC Ngaka Modiri-Molema regional treasurer Suleiman Carrim has blamed his associate and alleged influence peddler Brown Mogotsi for the use of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s name in WhatsApp chats presented at the Madlanga Commission. The chats show Carrim allegedly undertaking to have the minister intervene to expedite payments to Medicare24, a company belonging to alleged criminal mastermind Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. “I now realise that Brown played me — that they both played me — because he was sending me messages to forward to Mr Matlala. I said to him at the time that this is a joke, but…

An ANC regional treasurer and businessman, Sulliman Carrim, says he fears for his life after receiving death threats ahead of his scheduled testimony before the Madlanga Commission. Carrim is expected to appear before the commission on Monday. On Friday, his legal team submitted an urgent application requesting that his evidence be heard in camera — a closed hearing not accessible to the public or media — citing serious safety concerns. Advocate Kameel Premhid, representing Carrim, told the commission the request was motivated by what he described as alarming developments surrounding individuals linked to the inquiry. “I think it is important…

Tensions are mounting between the ANC-led coalition government and the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the City of Tshwane, with water tankering tenders emerging as the latest point of dispute. The opposition party has accused the administration of normalising the use of water tankers. The two parties addressed the media in Pretoria on the sidelines of Thursday’s Council meeting, where they exchanged accusations. DA Caucus Leader Celliers Brink highlighted the rising costs of water tankers under the ANC-led coalition and expressed concern that some communities receiving tanker water already have access to running water. “The DA’s main concern is not water…

Brown Mogotsi has attributed his absence from the Madlanga Commission to severe jetlag, which he says triggered diarrhoea, dizziness and general illness following his appearance before an ad hoc parliamentary committee in Cape Town. The committee is investigating allegations of drug cartel infiltration and political interference in the criminal justice system. Mogotsi’s scheduled testimony before the commission last week had to be postponed after he failed to appear. When he finally took the stand on Wednesday, he admitted he was still unwell. “Coming back from Cape Town since Friday, I was not okay,” he told the commission. “Like you say,…