SAPS to establish task team to probe names contained in Madlanga Commission interim report

Investigations into the conduct of five senior South African Police Service (SAPS) members and nine City of Ekurhuleni municipal officials have been recommended in the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry’s three-month interim report. 

In a statement issued on Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa instructed SAPS to establish a special task team to probe people identified by the commission for investigation.

The task team will report to the national Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola. 

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry’s three-month interim report, submitted to Ramaphosa on 17 December 2025, has highlighted prima facie allegations of criminality, corruption, fraud, murder, perjury and other unlawful actions by members of SAPS, officials of the City of Ekurhuleni and members of the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD).

This includes KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head, Lesetja Senona, who is currently testifying before the commission, as well as the SAPS’ head of organised crime, Richard Shibiri.  

Recommendations were further made for investigations into suspended EMPD chief of police, Julius Mkhwanazi, and three members of EMPD who formed part of the SWAT unit, which Mkhwanazi headed. 

The City of Ekurhuleni’s former city manager, Imogen Mashazi, fleet manager, Chris Steyn, head of human resources, Linda Gxasheka, and suspended head of legal, Kemi Behari, are also listed as those who should be investigated. 

Where the commission has said that there is prima facie evidence of wrongdoing, it has made referrals for investigation by the appropriate officials in the South African Police Service, Independent Police Investigative Directorate or the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality.
 
The referrals relate to the following SAPS officials:
 
1.           Major General Lesetja Senona
2.           Major General Richard Shibiri
3.           Brigadier Mbangwa Nkhwashu
4.           Brigadier Rachel Matjeng
5.           Sergeant Fannie Nkosi
 
Prima facie evidence of wrongdoing was also found by the Commission about the following current and former employees of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality:
 
1.           Suspended EMPD Chief of Police Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi
2.           EMPD Officer Bafana Twala
3.           EMPD Officer Aiden McKenzie
4.           EMPD Officer Kershia Leigh Stols
5.           EMM former City Manager Dr Imogen Mashazi
6.           EMM fleet manager/proxy Mr Chris Steyn
7.           EMM Head of Department of Human Resources Ms Linda Gxasheka
8.           EMM Head of Legal Adv Kemi Behari
9.           Mr Etienne van der Walt
 
The matters highlighted for referral concern allegations of criminality, corruption, fraud, murder, perjury and other unlawful actions by officials and officers in the employ of the South African Police Service, City of Ekurhuleni and the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department.