Calls for action against senior police officials implicated in major corruption scandal

The Active Citizens Forum and the VP Justice Foundation are urging South Africa’s acting Minister of Police, Firoz Cachalia, to take decisive action against senior police officials implicated by witnesses in the ongoing Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

This commission, alongside a parliamentary ad hoc committee, have been established to investigate allegations of political interference and the infiltration of criminal syndicates within the police force.

Among senior police officials mentioned by name by various witnesses is suspended deputy national police commissioner, General Shadrack Sibiya, Richard Shibiri, Major General Lesetja Senona, Sedibeng District Commissioner, Brigadier, Mbangwa Nkwashu among others.

This week, the Commission heard testimony from Witness A, who serves as an  officer in the organised crime unit, who revealed to the  commission that in May 2024 after the murder of  Vereeniging, Armand Swart, he was invited by a colleague, Vusi Ndlala, to a party at what he described as “the white house on the hill”.

It has been reported that this gathering was attended by other high-ranking officers, including the head of the national organised crime unit Richard Shibiri, with attempts made during this gathering to recruit the witness to work with some of the leading figures of the drug cartel.

Furthermore, on Wednesday, the Commission heard how Acting Sedibeng District Commissioner Brigadier Mbangwa Nkhwashu instructed the investigating officer in the case to hand over all dockets to him.

The witnesses indicated that Nkhwashu claimed that he was instructed to hand over thee dockets to Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Tommy Mthombeni or face the possibility of disciplinary action. However, it was revealed that Mthombeni’s office did not formally communicate this instruction to the investigating officer. 

Another person of interest in the Commission is KZN head of the Hawks, Major-General Lesetja Senona, who has been accused of having a close relationship with a known criminal implicated in serious crimes, including attempted murder and corruption.

Senona was first implicated by divisional commissioner of Crime Intelligence, Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo, who testified before the Commission on September 29 and 30.

Khumalo who took ill following his testimony, indicated that he has evidence in the form of chats between Brown Mogotsi, Senona, Brigadier Julius Mkhawanazi (Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department [EMPD] chief), investigator Calvin Rafadi, and businessman Suleiman Carrim.

Khumalo further accused the KZN head of leaking sensitive information to Matlala, who in turn has close relations with Senona’s son Thato Senona.

This week, Witness C claimed that drug cartel member Vusimuzi Cat Matlala told them that General Senona and General Sibiya helped him secure the R360 million SAPS contract, which was recently withdrawn.

In light of the recent testimonies, Dennis Bloem for the Activists and Citizens Forum called on the minister to act against all the top police officials accused of aiding and abetting criminal syndicates.

"The explosive testimony of witnesses A, B, and C at the Madlanga Commission must not be taken lightly. They have made very serious allegations against Senior Police Officers and produced evidence. 

"Whilst we are aware that there are still allegations, the country cannot afford to have senior police officers linked to criminal syndicates and with dark clouds hanging over their heads. They are a danger to the safety and security of the country,” on Bloem on Saturday.

In an open letter prepared by his lawyers, Gosai and Company Incorporated on behalf of the VP Justice Foundation, and its patron Visham Panday, the explosive allegations at the Madlanga Commission against Senona and others must not be taken lightly.

“Our client is aware of the criminal investigation involving Major General Senona initiated by the NPA. It has further come to our client’s attention that the investigation into his conduct has been completed, and a disciplinary enquiry was initiated against him and others, and our client calls for the immediate suspension of Major General Senona and other implicated persons, pending the finalisation of this investigation and decision.”