Open Questions: Madlanga Commission

1. Big Five cartel political connections: Who are the named politicians alleged to have accepted payments from the Big Five cartel? The commission heard WhatsApp evidence — have any politicians been formally named in findings? Are charges pending beyond the 12 police arrests of March 2026?

   Answered (2026-04-13): Politicians named in testimony (not formal findings yet): Senzo Mchunu (Police Minister) — R500,000 from Matlala toward his ANC presidency campaign; Signal/WhatsApp chain Matlala → Brown Mogotsi → Cedrick Nkabinde → Mchunu. Bheki Cele (former Police Minister) — admitted meeting Matlala and staying at his penthouse. Julius Malema (EFF) — confirmed visiting Big Five “president” Msibi’s farm, denied criminal links (April 2026). No formal charges against politicians as of April 2026. The “D-Day” Mogotsi message (31 Dec 2024, 6 hours before PKTT disbandment) is the most explosive evidentiary link to political decision-making. (Sources: Daily Maverick/MG, September–November 2025; News24, April 2026)

2. Witness protection failures: After Marius van der Merwe (Witness D) was assassinated in December 2025, how many other witnesses withdrew? What concrete reforms to witness protection have been implemented, and have any arrests been made in connection with his killing?

   Partially answered (2026-04-13): Van der Merwe was shot 5 December 2025. He had declined witness protection offered by the commission. Matipandile Sotheni — former SAPS Special Task Force member — arrested 14 March 2026; faces murder + 3 counts of attempted murder (against family members present). Mastermind remains at large. Ramaphosa established a specialised task team after the first interim report (17 December 2025). How many other witnesses withdrew: not publicly reported. Concrete reforms: commission interim report addressed witness security but specific reforms undisclosed. (Sources: Daily Maverick, News24, March 2026)

3. Scope and mandate: The commission focuses on criminal justice system corruption. Does its mandate extend to investigating who gave the order to disband the Political Killings Task Team — including whether this traces back to the presidency? What will the final report recommend in terms of structural reforms?

   Partially answered (2026-04-13): Ramaphosa confirmed publicly he did not approve or prior-knowledge the PKTT disbandment — he only learned of Mchunu’s legal view that the task team operated “illegally” when the minister appeared before the parliamentary ad hoc committee and the Madlanga Commission itself. Commission finding (interim report, 17 December 2025): prima facie evidence of wrongdoing; referrals made for criminal investigation of unspecified individuals. Ramaphosa “studied the interim report and accepts its recommendations.” Final report and structural reform recommendations still pending (expected 2026). The commission’s mandate does appear to extend to the PKTT disbandment decision chain, but formal finding on whether it traces to the presidency has not been published. (Sources: Daily Maverick, News24, April 2026)