Mkhwanazi implicates MPs, business figures and police in Day 2 Madlanga commission testimony. Image credit: News24.
(The Post News)- Day two of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Thursday, 18 September 2025 delivered explosive revelations, as KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi implicated suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu in criminal syndicates.
Mkhwanazi Reveals There is Evidence Linking Mchunu
Mkhwanazi reported to the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Tshwane that, “There is evidence linking Mchunu to criminal syndicates.” He claimed that politicians protected hit squads behind at least 121 political assassinations in KwaZulu-Natal since 2017.
The commissioner jumped on the now defunct Political Killings Task Team, his idea that had cracked high profile cases such as the 2023 murder of Durban lawyer Dube Swart and the assassination of musician DJ Sumbody. “The task team became too successful… just like the Scorpions,” Mkhwanazi said.
KwaZulu-Natal Director of Public Prosecutions, Elaine Harrison, voiced concern over the sudden shutdown of the team in early 2025. “Its disbandment gutted momentum on cases tied to municipal graft and election violence,” she warned.
NCC Leader Adams implicated
Mkhwanazi went further, expressing unease about the “unauthorised access” of sensitive intelligence data by National Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams. “Adams has unauthorised access to intelligence data,” he noted. He also singled out violence monitor Mary de Haas as being “very vocal” in lobbying for the task team’s disbandment.
The commissioner confirmed that he submitted evidence to the inquiry in two phases, the first batch in July and a full set now, to guard against tampering. “We had to protect the documents,” he said, crediting the 2023 Mokgoro Commission’s findings for establishing the unit that linked political killings to corrupt state contracts.
Turning to the controversial arrest of Crime Intelligence boss General Dumisani Khumalo, Mkhwanazi argued that the move crippled anti-crime operations. “What is much talked about in the media, that is not known, is the arrest of General Khumalo. When this arrest happens, it literally means this project must stop, this investigation of this organised crime must literally stop immediately because the people are arrested,” he explained.
It has been reported that Khumalo and six others were arrested in July by the Independent Directorate Against Corruption on charges of fraud and corruption, linked to the appointment of Dineo Mokwele, who allegedly had no policing experience, to a senior intelligence post. Khumalo is now seeking relaxed bail conditions to return to work.
Mkhwanazi accused MPs Fadiel Adams and Dianne Kohler Barnard of abusing their authority by interfering in crime intelligence matters and leaking sensitive information. He also implicated Johannesburg Metro Police officer Johannes Mokgatle, alleging he colluded with businessman-turned-murder accused Katiso “KT” Molefe.
“He then goes and tests the vehicle to establish the ownership, and he then goes and briefs his friend or associate to say, This is a police vehicle, don’t worry about it,” Mkhwanazi added. Reports indicate that Molefe has been fingered as the alleged mastermind behind the killings of DJ Sumbody and DJ Vintos.
Mkhwanazi Reports that “CAT” Vehicles are Registered as Police Cars
The commissioner also named North West businessman Suleiman Kareem, alleging he acted as an intermediary between underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and Minister Mchunu to preserve a lucrative police contract worth R360 million.
Mkhwanazi disclosed that Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi, Director of Special Services at the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD), had unlawfully arranged for four or five of Matlala’s private cars to be registered as official municipal vehicles.
“He processed the registrations to make it appear as though these cars were municipal property, paid for by the Ekurhuleni municipality,” Mkhwanazi testified.
He added that the vehicles were not only fraudulently registered but also fitted with blue lights, which are reserved strictly for law enforcement use.
“Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala is one fellow that has been enjoying too much privilege from law enforcement. The vehicles, when you test them on the system, reflect as if they belong to the municipality. He took these vehicles, and he caused the municipality to take municipal blue lights, and he fitted them on these vehicles,” Mkhwanazi testified.
Mkhwanazi added that Matlala’s long history of infiltrating law enforcement structures posed a deep and ongoing threat to state integrity. The commission, chaired by Justice Mandisa Madlanga, is expected to continue hearing evidence next week, with mounting anticipation over how far-reaching the alleged political-criminal networks extend.
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