Mapaballo Borotho
- Senior police and municipal officials, including Lesetja Senona, Julius Mkhwanazi and Imogen Mashazi, have been referred for corruption investigations following the Madlanga Commission’s interim report.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa has accepted the recommendations and ordered the formation of a special task team to fast-track criminal probes and possible prosecutions.
- Several implicated individuals are expected to return to the Commission as investigations begin immediately.
Senior police officials, including Lesetja Senona, Richard Shiburi, and suspended EMPD Head Julius Mkhwanazi, are set to be investigated for corruption and wrongdoing following recommendations by the Madlanga Commission’s interim report.
President Cyril Ramaphosa received the interim report last year when the commission wrapped up its first phase of testimonies.
Ramaphosa has accepted the recommendations made by the commission, which was established in July 2025 to probe allegations of criminal infiltration within the criminal justice system.
In a statement released by the Presidency on Thursday, Ramaphosa welcomed the referrals by the Commission of matters for immediate criminal investigation and urgent decisions on prosecution, as well as recommendations on employment status and the possible suspension of individuals.
“Clause 7 of the Commission’s Terms of Reference empowers the Commission to consider prima facie evidence relating to the involvement of individuals currently employed within law enforcement or intelligence agencies and, where appropriate, make recommendations regarding their employment status, including whether they should be suspended pending the outcome of further investigations.
Clause 10.4 provides the Commission with the power to refer matters for immediate criminal investigation and urgent decisions on prosecution, taking into account the nature of the allegations and evidence the Commission uncovers.”
Several senior law enforcement and municipal officials have already been referred for investigation. These include KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Major-General Lesetja Senona, who is currently testifying before the commission about his alleged improper relationship with alleged organised crime figure Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala.
Last year, Matlala described Senona as his big brother. Senona also admitted to sharing sensitive police information with Matlala in his testimony.
Head of Organised Crime Richard Shiburi has also been referred for investigation for allegedly accepting an R80,000 gift from Matlala.
In Ekurhuleni, suspended EMPD Chief of Police Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi and former City Manager Dr Imogen Mashazi have been referred for further investigation, together with seven other officials.
Mkhwanazi and Mashazi are accused of contributing to the rot within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Department.
Some of the implicated individuals will return to the Commission to respond to allegations presented against them. However, Ramaphosa says the nature of these allegations warrants referrals for further investigation and potential disciplinary, prosecutorial or regulatory action right away.
The President has directed Acting Minister of Police Professor Firoz Cachalia and SAPS National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola to constitute a special investigations task team, with a leader who will report directly to General Masemola.
“The task team will institute investigations against people identified by the Commission for investigation. Establishing a special unit is critical to ensure that these investigations take place as a matter of urgency,” said Ramaphosa.
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