South Africa’s police force is under intense scrutiny as allegations of corruption and political interference come to light through two ongoing public inquiries. President Cyril Ramaphosa is currently reviewing an interim report from a commission tasked with investigating illegality within the police.

The commission was established following claims made in July by Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, head of police in KwaZulu-Natal province, that organised crime groups had infiltrated the government. His allegations led to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu being placed on special leave.

Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi alleged that Minister Mchunu had close ties to criminal kingpins and deliberately shut down an elite unit investigating political murders. Mchunu, a prominent member of the African National Congress (ANC) and a key ally of President Ramaphosa, has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

To thoroughly investigate these serious claims, President Ramaphosa appointed retired Constitutional Court judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga to lead a public inquiry, while Parliament in Cape Town also launched its own investigative panel.

“As I see it now, this is terrorism,” Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi stated during his September appearance before the Madlanga Commission. “These are people who want to take over government, not through the ballot paper but through these criminal activities.”

Over the past three months, the inquiries have heard disturbing testimony regarding an alleged drug cartel with political connections and a businessman, Vusimusi Cat Matlala, currently facing trial for attempted murder, who is also accused of having links to high-ranking government officials. Tragically, a witness at the Madlanga Commission, Marius van der Merwe, was murdered shortly after providing evidence.

The ‘Big Five Cartel’

Among the most explosive revelations was testimony from Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo, police crime intelligence boss. He alleged before the Madlanga Commission that a drug trafficking cartel, dubbed the ‘Big Five,’ operates across several provinces and has penetrated the political sphere.

Lt-Gen Khumalo identified Vusimusi Cat Matlala as one of the alleged leaders of this criminal network. Matlala is currently facing 25 criminal charges, including multiple counts of attempted murder stemming from incidents between 2022 and 2024. He maintains his innocence.

According to the crime intelligence boss, the Big Five wields significant influence throughout the country, engaging in narcotics trafficking, contract killings linked to their drug operations, cross-border hijackings, and kidnappings. The cartel is also accused of manipulating investigations, suppressing evidence, and obstructing legal proceedings within the criminal justice system.

The alleged cartel is believed to be responsible for the disbandment of the political killings task team (PKTT), which operated in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, as they mistakenly believed the unit was investigating them, Lt-Gen Khumalo told the commission.

Another witness, known only as Witness C, who was formerly part of the PKTT, corroborated these claims, alleging that the Big Five cartel exerted full control and oversight within every government department.

Who is ‘Cat’ Matlala?

Vusimusi Cat Matlala recently spent two days testifying before the parliamentary inquiry. The allegations against the suspended Police Minister centre around his alleged close relationship with Matlala.

Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi, at the Madlanga Commission, reiterated his claims from July that Mchunu was receiving indirect financial support from Matlala to fund his political activities. He presented copies of text messages and a payment allegedly made by Matlala as evidence, facilitated by a third party.

Minister Mchunu, during his appearance, refuted these allegations, stating, “This is the first time I get accused of such. I have never been accused of corruption, not once.”

Matlala previously held a lucrative contract with the police, which was abruptly cancelled in May following his arrest on attempted murder charges. He was convicted in 2001 and served time for possession of stolen goods, and has faced numerous other arrests for alleged crimes, including robbery and assault, though charges were often withdrawn or he was acquitted.

Appearing at the parliamentary inquiry, Matlala claimed to have turned his life around in 2017, establishing a security business. He testified while wearing restraints around his ankles, revealing details of his relationships with current and former ministers and top police officials.

He admitted to making payments for ANC-related activities, stating, “From what I understand, the minister [Mchunu] sent a third party to go ask for donations there and there, and I was one of them.” He further alleged that former Police Minister Bheki Cele demanded a 1 million rand “facilitation fee” to halt police harassment, and that he only paid half the amount.

Cele, who testified before Matlala, acknowledged knowing the businessman for a few months and having stayed at his penthouse on two occasions, describing them as “freebies.” However, he denied receiving any money from Matlala.

Matlala is expected to testify before the Madlanga Commission next year. Other witnesses have painted a similar picture of his extensive connections within the police force, with Witness C alleging that Matlala contributed financially to Mchunu’s presidential ambitions within the ANC.

Commission witness later murdered

The murder of Marius van der Merwe, a former police officer and private security company owner who testified as Witness D, in early December, has sent shockwaves through South Africa. The shooting occurred in front of his family as he waited for his gate to open, and no arrests have been made, though police have identified three persons of interest.

Authorities confirmed van der Merwe’s identity after his murder. During his testimony, he implicated officials, including Brig Julius Mkhwanazi, alleging he was ordered to dispose of the body of a man accused of robbery who had allegedly been tortured and killed by police. “I really did not have a chance to agree. I felt like I was being forced,” van der Merwe told the commission.

Brig Mkhwanazi denied any involvement, stating he was merely called to the scene of a crime and stayed for only a few minutes.

Van der Merwe’s death has sparked outrage, highlighting the common targeting of whistleblowers in South Africa, who often face retaliation, loss of livelihood, and even death, according to Human Rights Watch.

The authorities revealed that van der Merwe had declined witness protection following his testimony.

Where things stand now

President Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, stated that Judge Madlanga’s interim report would not be made public, as it was considered “not helpful to start debating on something that is half-baked.” The final report is expected next year and will be released to the public.

The commissioner will advise the president on areas of national security sensitivity and how to manage them. The Madlanga Commission is proceeding in three phases: gathering initial allegations, allowing those implicated to respond, and recalling witnesses for clarification. The commission’s mandate can be extended at the president’s discretion.

The parliamentary inquiry is also ongoing. South Africans now await the findings and recommendations from both inquiries, hoping they will be sufficient to address the deep-rooted problems within the police service.

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