Ramaphosa Orders Urgent Action on Madlanga Report, Special Task Team to Probe Police Corruption

President Ramaphosa Mandates Swift Implementation of Madlanga Report

President Cyril Ramaphosa has directed the urgent implementation of the Madlanga Commission's interim report, which calls for criminal investigations and disciplinary action against numerous police and municipal officials implicated in corruption and other serious offenses. The President's directive, announced on Thursday, January 29, 2026, follows his acceptance of the report's recommendations.

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, commonly known as the Madlanga Commission, submitted its interim findings on December 17, 2025. Chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, the commission was established by President Ramaphosa on July 13, 2025, in response to serious allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mkhwanazi had claimed the existence of a sophisticated criminal syndicate that had infiltrated law enforcement and justice institutions in South Africa.

Special Task Team to Lead Investigations

In a decisive move, President Ramaphosa has instructed acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) General Fannie Masemola to establish a special investigations task team. This team will be responsible for investigating the prima facie evidence of wrongdoing identified in the report. The allegations highlighted by the commission include serious crimes such as fraud, corruption, perjury, and murder. The President emphasized that 'establishing a special unit is critical to ensure that these investigations take place as a matter of urgency.'

Officials Implicated and Scope of Referrals

The interim report has referred at least 14 high-ranking officials from the SAPS and the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) for investigation. Among those from the SAPS against whom prima facie evidence of wrongdoing was found are:

• Major General Lesetja Senona
• Major General Richard Shibiri
• Brigadier Mbangwa Nkhwashu
• Brigadier Rachel Matjeng
• Sergeant Fannie Nkosi

Officials from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) also face scrutiny, including suspended EMPD Chief Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi, EMPD officers Bafana Twala, Aiden McKenzie, Kershia Leigh Stols, former Ekurhuleni City Manager Dr Imogen Mashazi, EMM fleet manager/proxy Chris Steyn, EMM head of department of human resources Linda Gxasheka, and EMM head of legal Advocate Kemi Behari.

The commission's terms of reference empower it to recommend suspensions and refer matters for immediate investigation and prosecution. It is important to note that, with the exception of EMPD Chief Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi, the commission has not yet heard responses from some of the implicated individuals, and the allegations remain prima facie and not final findings. However, the nature of these allegations warrants immediate action.

Restoring Public Trust

President Ramaphosa expects all law enforcement agencies and relevant criminal justice institutions to act swiftly on the recommendations. This immediate action is intended to 'restore public trust and strengthen operational capacity in the affected state entities tasked with fighting crime and corruption.' The commission will also demand updates and explanations for any delays in ongoing investigations, including those at the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).