Mbabane – President Cyril Ramaphosa has accepted the interim report of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into Criminality Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, a development being closely watched in Eswatini due to its regional implications for law enforcement cooperation and cross border crime.

The Commission was established on 13 July 2025 following allegations by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi regarding the existence of a sophisticated criminal syndicate that had allegedly infiltrated South Africa’s criminal justice system. The inquiry is chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga and is assisted by Advocate Sesi Baloyi SC and Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC.

The interim report was submitted to the President on 17 December 2025 in line with timelines set by the Presidency. After studying the document, Ramaphosa accepted its recommendations and welcomed the referrals made for immediate criminal investigations, urgent prosecutorial decisions and recommendations on the employment status of implicated individuals, including possible suspensions.

According to the Presidency, the Commission made several referrals for further investigation by relevant law enforcement institutions, including criminal probes and disciplinary processes. These actions are grounded in the Commission’s terms of reference, which empower it to act where there is prima facie evidence of wrongdoing.

Clause 7 of the terms of reference empowers the Commission to “consider prima facie evidence relating to the involvement of individuals currently employed within law enforcement or intelligence agencies and, where appropriate, the Commission must make recommendations regarding the employment status of such officials including whether they should be suspended pending the outcome of further investigations.”

Clause 10.4 provides the Commission with the “power to refer matters for immediate criminal investigation and urgent decisions on prosecution, taking into account the nature of the allegations and evidence the Commission will uncover.”

Clause 12 states that “the Commission shall, where appropriate, refer any matter for prosecution, further investigation or the convening of a separate enquiry to the appropriate law enforcement agency, government department or regulator.”

The referrals include allegations involving senior officials within the South African Police Service. Those listed are Major General Lesetja Senona, Major General Richard Shibiri, Brigadier Mbangwa Nkhwashu, Brigadier Rachel Matjeng and Sergeant Fannie Nkosi.

Prima facie evidence was also identified in relation to current and former employees of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department. These include suspended EMPD Chief of Police Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi, EMPD Officer Bafana Twala, EMPD Officer Aiden McKenzie, EMPD Officer Kershia Leigh Stols, former city manager Dr Imogen Mashazi, fleet manager or proxy Mr Chris Steyn, Head of Human Resources Ms Linda Gxasheka, Head of Legal Advocate Kemi Behari and Mr Etienne van der Walt.

The matters referred involve allegations of criminality, corruption, fraud, murder, perjury and other unlawful conduct by officials within SAPS and the City of Ekurhuleni. Where the Independent Police Investigative Directorate is already handling some cases, the Commission will seek updates and explanations for delays.

Ramaphosa noted that some of the individuals named will still appear before the Commission to respond to allegations, while additional witnesses are yet to testify. With the exception of EMPD Chief Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi, the Commission has not yet heard responses from some of those listed, and the allegations remain prima facie and not final findings.

The President has directed the Minister of Police Professor Firoz Cachalia and SAPS National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola to establish a special investigations task team. The unit will be led by a head reporting directly to General Masemola and will prioritise investigations arising from the Commission’s referrals.

Ramaphosa said swift action by law enforcement agencies is necessary to restore public trust and strengthen the capacity of institutions responsible for combating crime and corruption.