South Africa’s Madlanga Commission Ends Hearings, Submits Interim Report

South Africa’s Madlanga Commission, which is investigating allegations of police corruption and organised crime infiltration, has concluded the second phase of its public hearings and submitted an interim report to President Cyril Ramaphosa. The inquiry began in September and has heard testimony from 32 witnesses over 64 days. The interim report was not made public.

The commission is led by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga and is examining claims that criminal networks penetrated parts of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other state structures. Witnesses have described alleged misconduct, tender irregularities and the handling of major drug seizures.

A third and final phase of hearings is expected to begin next month. Several figures named during testimony are expected to face further scrutiny as the commission moves toward its final report.

Tender testimony focuses on gifts and alleged conflicts

One of the prominent witnesses was Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, who oversaw a 2024 tender awarded to businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s company, Medicare24 Tshwane District, to provide health services to the police. The contract was later cancelled. The source report says a dozen senior police officers, including Matjeng, have been formally charged over their role in awarding the contract, and none has yet been asked to plead in court.

Matjeng denied receiving kickbacks from Matlala. She told the commission the two had an on-and-off romantic relationship and that he gave her gifts, including doses of the weight-loss drug Ozempic, which she said she had asked him to obtain.

Matlala has not yet appeared before the commission. The source report says he is in custody and faces 25 criminal charges, including attempted murder, and has denied the charges. He is expected to testify during the final phase of the inquiry.

Commission scrutinises 2021 cocaine seizures and security failures

The commission also examined the handling of two large cocaine seizures in 2021, one in Durban and another in Johannesburg. In June 2021, police intercepted 541kg of cocaine in Durban, valued at more than 200 million rand ($12 million), hidden in a shipping container carrying animal bone meal. Five months later, the drugs were stolen from a poorly secured building owned by the Hawks, South Africa’s elite police unit, in what officials described as a suspected inside job.

Major-General Hendrik Flynn detailed what he described as procedural failures leading up to the theft. He cited a lack of DNA or fingerprint collection and the decision to store the drugs in an insecure facility despite the availability of safer locations.

Lieutenant Colonel Nkoana Sebola also highlighted suspicious circumstances around a 700kg cocaine seizure in Johannesburg in July 2021, which the source report valued at an estimated $17.3 million. Sebola said he believed the first officers on the scene operated outside their jurisdiction and without proper authorisation.

The commission’s next hearings are likely to focus on testimony from those who have not yet appeared, including Matlala, and on whether the evidence supports reforms or criminal referrals tied to corruption allegations inside SAPS.