Author: Kgaogelo Magolego
Businessman Stuart James Scharnick, a known associate of suspended National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, has defended his relationship with the embattled police chief, insisting that his criminal record should not define his contribution to society. Scharnick spoke to journalists outside the Pretoria Central Police Station on Thursday, where he opened a perjury and defamation case against Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo. He accused Khumalo of falsely portraying him as a “serial hijacker.” Public outrage erupted recently after Scharnick was seen accompanying Sibiya to Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating alleged criminal infiltration and corruption within South Africa’s justice system.…
South African national James Stuart Scharnick has filed a case against Crime Intelligence Head, Major General Dumisani Khumalo, following Khumalo’s testimony at the Madlanga Commission in Pretoria. In his testimony, Khumalo linked Scharnick to suspended National Deputy Police Commissioner for Crime Detection, Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, claiming that a Toyota bakkie driven by Sibiya during a police raid was registered under Scharnick’s name. Khumalo further alleged that Scharnick had an extensive criminal record — 34 charges in total, with 18 convictions, 11 withdrawn, and five acquittals — describing him as a person of concern in ongoing investigations. Responding to the allegations,…
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.…