In July 2025 KZN Provincial Police Commissioner Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi delivered an extraordinary televised press conference accusing the then-Minister of Police, senior SAPS leadership and a private businessman of protecting an organised-crime cartel operating inside the state. The allegations led to the suspension of the Minister, the establishment of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry by Presidential Proclamation, and a parallel National Assembly Ad Hoc Committee — two investigations into the same set of allegations running at once.
Imagine your school has a special teacher whose job is to catch cheaters. One day that teacher stood up and said: the principal is helping the cheaters and hiding the evidence. That is what happened in South Africa. A senior police officer named General Mkhwanazi stood up and said some very powerful politicians and police bosses were protecting a criminal gang. Two groups of very important people are now investigating to find out if this is true.
Two bodies are investigating this story simultaneously
The Commissions Act 8 of 1947 is the statutory authority under which the President establishes the inquiry and grants it powers to summon witnesses and demand documents.
A commission of inquiry set up under this Act can summon witnesses, require documents, and take evidence under oath — just like a court.
Protected Disclosures Act· Act 26 of 2000
Section Section 3
As a public servant disclosing wrongdoing to a body empowered to investigate it, General Mkhwanazi's evidence is treated as a protected disclosure under the Protected Disclosures Act.
If you report wrongdoing in good faith to the right person (your employer, the Public Protector, the Auditor-General or the police) you are legally protected from being fired or harmed for speaking up.
Prevention of Organised Crime Act· Act 121 of 1998
Section Section 2
If the allegations are proved, the conduct alleged would fit the statutory definition of a "pattern of racketeering activity" under POCA section 2.
It is a serious crime to be part of a group — a "pattern of racketeering activity" — that repeatedly commits crimes for profit. The leaders and the members are all liable.
§ Section Section 207
Section 207 permits the Minister to set overall policy but not to issue operational directives. Disbanding an operational task team is later alleged at the Commission to have crossed this constitutional line.
The Minister of Police sets overall policy. But the National Commissioner runs the police day-to-day. The Minister cannot instruct the police on individual cases or operations.
§ Section Section 205
The allegations speak directly to section 205 — that the police must operate without fear, favour or prejudice — and frame the disbandment of the PKTT as a violation of that command.
The police must prevent, combat and investigate crime, maintain public order, protect the public — and do all of this without fear, favour or prejudice.
§ Section Section 91
Section 91(3)(c) is the constitutional provision used to appoint Prof Cachalia — one of the President's two permitted ministers from outside the National Assembly.
The President can appoint a maximum of two ministers from outside Parliament. This is the provision used to bring in Prof Cachalia as acting Minister of Police while Mchunu is on special leave.
§ Section Section 55
This story touches 4 Acts of Parliament and 5 provisions of the Constitution. These are the rules that were supposed to be followed — by police, prosecutors, ministers, and civil servants. When those rules aren't followed, ordinary people pay the price: crimes go uninvestigated, public money goes missing, and trust breaks down. The Record tracks every step so accountability has a paper trail.
Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act· Act 12 of 2004
Section Section 3
The circumstances of the tender award are later examined for potential contraventions of PRECCA section 3 — the general offence of corruption.
It is a crime to give, offer, receive or accept any kind of reward to make someone do their job dishonestly — whether you are in government or in business.
Commissions Act· Act 8 of 1947
Section Section 1
The Commissions Act 8 of 1947 is the statutory authority under which the President establishes the inquiry and grants it powers to summon witnesses and demand documents.
A commission of inquiry set up under this Act can summon witnesses, require documents, and take evidence under oath — just like a court.
Protected Disclosures Act· Act 26 of 2000
Section Section 3
As a public servant disclosing wrongdoing to a body empowered to investigate it, General Mkhwanazi's evidence is treated as a protected disclosure under the Protected Disclosures Act.
If you report wrongdoing in good faith to the right person (your employer, the Public Protector, the Auditor-General or the police) you are legally protected from being fired or harmed for speaking up.
Prevention of Organised Crime Act· Act 121 of 1998
Section Section 2
If the allegations are proved, the conduct alleged would fit the statutory definition of a "pattern of racketeering activity" under POCA section 2.
It is a serious crime to be part of a group — a "pattern of racketeering activity" — that repeatedly commits crimes for profit. The leaders and the members are all liable.
§ Section Section 207
Section 207 permits the Minister to set overall policy but not to issue operational directives. Disbanding an operational task team is later alleged at the Commission to have crossed this constitutional line.
The Minister of Police sets overall policy. But the National Commissioner runs the police day-to-day. The Minister cannot instruct the police on individual cases or operations.
§ Section Section 205
The allegations speak directly to section 205 — that the police must operate without fear, favour or prejudice — and frame the disbandment of the PKTT as a violation of that command.
The police must prevent, combat and investigate crime, maintain public order, protect the public — and do all of this without fear, favour or prejudice.
§ Section Section 91
Section 91(3)(c) is the constitutional provision used to appoint Prof Cachalia — one of the President's two permitted ministers from outside the National Assembly.
The President can appoint a maximum of two ministers from outside Parliament. This is the provision used to bring in Prof Cachalia as acting Minister of Police while Mchunu is on special leave.
§ Section Section 55
Section 55 vests the National Assembly with the power to conduct inquiries and call for evidence — the constitutional basis for the Ad Hoc Committee's parallel investigation.
Parliament is allowed to investigate any part of government — including ministers and the police — call witnesses, demand documents and pass laws to fix problems it uncovers.
This story touches 4 Acts of Parliament and 5 provisions of the Constitution. These are the rules that were supposed to be followed — by police, prosecutors, ministers, and civil servants. When those rules aren't followed, ordinary people pay the price: crimes go uninvestigated, public money goes missing, and trust breaks down. The Record tracks every step so accountability has a paper trail.
Section 55 vests the National Assembly with the power to conduct inquiries and call for evidence — the constitutional basis for the Ad Hoc Committee's parallel investigation.
Parliament is allowed to investigate any part of government — including ministers and the police — call witnesses, demand documents and pass laws to fix problems it uncovers.
§ Section Section 179
Section 179 guarantees NPA independence. The suspension is framed as a step to protect — rather than undermine — that independence while the facts are established.
The NPA decides who is charged with a crime. The Constitution says it must work without fear, favour or prejudice — no politician may tell prosecutors what to do.
§ Section Section 179
Section 179 guarantees NPA independence. The suspension is framed as a step to protect — rather than undermine — that independence while the facts are established.
The NPA decides who is charged with a crime. The Constitution says it must work without fear, favour or prejudice — no politician may tell prosecutors what to do.