Madlanga Commission | Timeline of police crisis: How did we get here

The judicial commission of inquiry into criminality, political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system - otherwise known as the Madlanga commission of inquiry is set to kick off today. Here is a timeline of the events that led us here.

17 April 2024: Armand Swart, an engineer for Qtech, is fatally shot outside the company premises.

30 September 2024: Businessman Brown Mogotsi sends an introductory message to KZN police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

6 December 2024: The Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) observes "unusual activities" during an operation at the premises of two high-profile syndicates, one of which included Katiso Molefe, an arrestee in the Swart murder.

30 December 2024: A ballistic report links firearms from Swart's murder to the 2022 murder of DJs Somebody.

31 December 2024: Police Minister Senzo Mchunu instructs National Police Commissioner Fanie Masemola to disband the PKTT.
2 January 2025: Masemola becomes aware of Mchunu' letter to disband the task team.

3 January 2025: A letter is sent from Masemola's office to Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya, Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, directing him to communicate the disbandment to the task team.

5 March 2025: During a parliamentary briefing, Mkhwanazi details his correspondence with Mogotsi and the alleged corruption within Crime Intelligence. Mchunu denies knowing Mogotsi.

26 March 2025: 121 case dockets are removed from the PKTT, following Mchunu's instruction to disband the unit. Deputy National Commissioner Sibiya is interviewed by EWN and claims tensions with Mkhwanazi are being exaggerated.

13 May 2025: Masemola cancels a R360 million police tender with Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala.

14 May 2025: The PKTT arrests Matlala for attempted murder, and communication with Brown Mogotsi is discovered on Matlala's phone.

30 May 2025: The Investigative Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) downloads the contents of Matlala's confiscated cellphones.

25 June 2025: Dumisani Khumalo, the head of Crime Intelligence and coordinator of the PKTT, is arrested by the IDAC on fraud and corruption charges.

26 June 2025: Katiso Molefe is granted bail.

6 July 2025: Mkhwanazi holds a press briefing, publicly alleging that Mchunu and Sibiya interfered in investigations to protect a criminal syndicate.

13 July 2025: President Ramaphosa announces a judicial commission of inquiry, led by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, and places Minister Mchunu on special leave.

15 July 2025: Sibiya is ordered by Masemola to "stay at home" pending an investigation.

22 July 2025: Parliament's Portfolio Committees on Police and Justice recommend establishing an ad hoc committee to probe Mkhwanazi's allegations.

31 July 2025: Justice Madlanga announces his team for the judicial commission.

5 August 2025: The parliamentary ad hoc committee holds its first meeting and elects its chairperson, Molapi Soviet Lekganyane.

20 August 2025: The judicial commission announces public hearings will be held at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College, starting September 1.

26 August 2025: The judicial commission postpones its hearings, citing delays in infrastructure procurement by the Department of Justice.

5 September 2025: The commission announces a new start date of September 17 and confirms Mkhwanazi as its first witness.

8 September 2025: The Alexandra Magistrate's Court reserves judgment on Vusimuzi Matlala' bail application until September 17.

17 September 2025: The Madlanga judicial commission of inquiry is set to begin public hearings.

17 September 2025: Judgment on Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala's bail application is scheduled.

22 September 2025: The parliamentary ad hoc committee is expected to begin hearing witness testimony.