Madlanga Commission
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System — informally known as the Madlanga Commission — is a public inquiry announced in July 2025 by President Cyril Ramaphosa and chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga. Advocates Sesi Baloyi SC and Sandile Khumalo SC serve as commissioners. The commission’s official website is criminaljusticecommission.org.za.
The commission was triggered on 6 July 2025, when KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi held a press briefing accusing then-Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of interfering in active police investigations, including the work of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) — a unit investigating politically motivated murders that Mchunu allegedly ordered disbanded. Mkhwanazi filed a criminal complaint against Mchunu. Ramaphosa established the commission on 21 July 2025. Hearings commenced 17 September 2025.
Key findings to date include evidence of a sophisticated Gauteng-based organised crime syndicate, labelled the “Big Five cartel,” allegedly involved in drug trafficking, car hijackings, tender fraud, and contract killings. Crime Intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo testified that the cartel paid ANC delegates and was connected to the disbanding of the PKTT. The commission has heard WhatsApp evidence linking drug cartel figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala to senior police and intelligence officials, including alleged payments to and from KZN Hawks head Lesetja Senona.
The commission has suffered from severe witness intimidation. Commission “Witness D,” private security company owner Marius van der Merwe, was shot dead outside his home in Brakpan on 5 December 2025. Police informant Jaco Hanekom was killed in March 2023 after witnessing an alleged illegal EMPD copper operation. Daily Maverick and News24 mounted a legal challenge to attempts to hold hearings in camera. The commission submitted its first interim report on 17 December 2025, referring several matters for criminal investigation. In March 2026, 12 police officers were arrested in connection with an alleged R360 million contract linked to Matlala.
Connections
- Cyril Ramaphosa — established the commission July 21, 2025
- Mbuyiseli Madlanga — chairperson; retired Constitutional Court Justice
- Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi — KZN Police Commissioner; first witness; triggered the commission with July 6, 2025 press briefing
- Senzo Mchunu — former Police Minister implicated in political interference; placed on leave
- Big Five cartel — Gauteng-based organised crime syndicate exposed through commission testimony
- Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala — alleged cartel figure central to corruption of police; 12 officers arrested March 2026
- Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) — task team whose disbandment triggered Mkhwanazi’s accusations
- Marius van der Merwe — Witness D; assassinated December 5, 2025 after testifying
- Dumisani Khumalo — Crime Intelligence boss; testified about Big Five cartel (September 29, 2025)