Madlanga Commission Resumes Hearings As Key Witnesses Set To Testify On Police Interference Claims

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry is set to resume its hearings in Pretoria on Monday, with two key witnesses expected to appear before the panel.

The commission is investigating serious allegations of criminality, corruption and political interference within the police service and the broader criminal justice system.

These claims were first raised last year by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, whose accusations have since drawn national attention and intensified scrutiny of political influence in law enforcement.

Background to Political Killings Task Team Allegations

On 6 July, Mkhwanazi held a media briefing in which he accused senior police officials and high-ranking politicians of deliberately weakening the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), which was established to investigate politically motivated murders in KwaZulu-Natal.

Mkhwanazi alleged that the task team failed to properly investigate political killings, claiming that certain top politicians were shielding drug cartels and interfering with police investigations.

He specifically named Police Minister Senzo Mchunu as a government official accused of protecting criminal networks and obstructing the work of the PKTT.

Commission Focus Shifts Back to Political Interference

The upcoming hearings are expected to build on evidence presented late last year, when Mchunu testified before the commission regarding the decision to disband the task team.

Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels confirmed that political interference will remain central to the proceedings.

“The Madlanga Commission will today hold its first public hearing for 2026. Following the testimony in December last year of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu regarding the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Crime Intelligence Slush Fund ‘Always Abused’ To Control Politicians And Generals, Says McBride

“The commissions hearing will continue with that theme and evidence related to political interference. Two new witnesses are due to take the stand today.”

The testimony is expected to shed further light on the alleged undermining of investigations into political violence and the extent of influence exerted over policing structures.

---

For More, Follow SurgeZirc SA On Facebook, X,  Instagram and Bluesky