Task team given three months to probe officers implicated in Madlanga Commission

The task team appointed to investigate police officers implicated in the Madlanga Commission has been given three months to finalise its work. The team was established following revelations of police corruption at the commission.

Five SAPS and nine Ekurhuleni Metro Police officers were named in the commission’s interim report. On Friday, National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola and NPA boss Andy Mothibi briefed the media on their combined response to the commission’s recommendations.

In its interim report, the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry found prima facie evidence of criminality, fraud, and corruption involving 14 SAPS and EMPD officers. Among those named are KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Lesetja Senona, National Head of Organised Crime Richard Shibiri, and suspended EMPD senior officer Julius Mkhwanazi.

All three are, among other allegations, accused of having improper relationships with alleged crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola says there is evidence that has already been gathered against several implicated officials.

"We did not rely solely on what came from the Madlanga Commission, but we also relied on other evidence. We have given the task team less than three months to finalise this work. It’s a magnitude of work, but some of it was being investigated by other units," Masemola said.

The NPA has now deployed prosecutors to permanently join the police task team investigating officers implicated at the commission.