Two witnesses are expected to appear before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Monday as it resumes its hearings in Pretoria.
The commission is investigating allegations of criminality, corruption and political interference within the South African Police Service and the broader criminal justice system.
The inquiry stems from explosive claims made last year by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. On 6 July, Mkhwanazi held a media briefing in which he accused senior police officials and prominent politicians of deliberately dismantling the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), which was established to probe politically motivated murders in the province.
Mkhwanazi alleged that the task team had failed to properly investigate political killings and claimed that top politicians were interfering in its work. He specifically named Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, accusing him of shielding drug cartels and obstructing police investigations, particularly those involving the PKTT.
Jeremy Michaels, the commission’s spokesperson, said the hearings would continue focusing on political interference.
“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, the commission’s hearings will continue with that theme and evidence related to political interference. Two new witnesses are due to take the stand today,” Michaels said.
The commission’s findings are expected to have far-reaching implications for policing and political accountability in South Africa.