At its resumed sitting at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College, the Madlanga Commission has heard probing testimony from National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, particularly concerning the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), operational authority, and high-profile cases linked to the University of Fort Hare. Appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa in August 2025, the Commission’s mandate is to investigate allegations of criminality, political interference, and corruption involving senior police and political figures. General Masemola told the Commission that the PKTT was…

Day three of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry saw KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi deliver another round of shocking testimony, this time focusing on suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s alleged ties to businessman Brown Mogotsi, irregular use of classified police documents, and the role of political figures and businessmen in compromising the country’s intelligence structures. Mkhwanazi opened Friday’s session by revisiting the case of Mokgotsi, whom he directly linked to the suspended minister. “As I wanted to indicate…

Day two of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into political killings and corruption in KwaZulu-Natal delivered explosive testimony that left the chamber stunned. KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, named several high-profile individuals whom he accused of benefitting from illegal privileges, interfering with crime intelligence operations, and fueling a climate of lawlessness within the criminal justice system. At the center of his testimony was alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who, Mkhwanazi claimed, enjoyed extraordinary protection and privileges…

The Pretoria High Court has struck off the urgent application by the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) and its leader, former President Jacob Zuma, which sought to halt the operations of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. The court ruled on Thursday that the party’s bid is not sufficiently urgent and therefore cannot be heard on its merits at this time. In its ruling, the court found that the MK Party’s case did not meet the threshold of urgency required for…

Day one of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption within South Africa’s criminal justice system closed at about 4pm on Tuesday at the Bridgette Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria after almost six hours of testimony from KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mkhwanazi began his evidence just after 10:30 and, following a lunch adjournment, resumed at 14:00. His testimony set the tone for what many observers believe may be a fraught and revealing inquiry:…

The African National Congress (ANC) has moved swiftly to clamp down on two of its high-profile members, suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and former Cabinet minister Malusi Gigaba, after their explosive public remarks that the party says amount to “deliberate de-campaigning” and a direct attack on ANC unity. In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, the ANC’s national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu said the party had taken “serious concern and disapproval” of comments made by both men, warning that “no…

The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has penned a scathing legal letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa, demanding clarity over the suspension of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and questioning the legitimacy of Professor Firoz Cachalia’s appointment as Acting Police Minister. The party, acting on behalf of former President Jacob Zuma, also calls on Ramaphosa to resign for what it terms “unconstitutional and irrational” conduct. The letter, dated 4 August 2025 and authored by KMNS Inc. on instruction of Zuma, comes in the…

Accusations of double standards and factional favouritism are once again plaguing the African National Congress (ANC), after its Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula confirmed that embattled Police Minister Senzo Mchunu would not be required to step aside from party duties — despite being placed on special leave by President Cyril Ramaphosa amid a serious judicial inquiry. The announcement has triggered fierce public backlash, with critics pointing to what they call the “Animal Farm logic” of the ruling party: some comrades are more…

The uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) Party has dramatically escalated its confrontation with President Cyril Ramaphosa, filing an urgent application at the Constitutional Court on Friday to declare several of his recent executive decisions unconstitutional — including the appointment of acting police ministers and the establishment of a judicial inquiry into police corruption. The legal action coincided with a mass protest outside the Union Buildings in Pretoria, where hundreds of MK Party supporters, dressed in green, black and gold regalia, marched…

In a dramatic political twist just days before Mandela Day, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has issued President Cyril Ramaphosa with a formal letter of demand calling for his immediate resignation. The party on Wednesday, 17 July, said Ramaphosa must step down by 09:00 on Friday, 18 July, “in honour of Nelson Mandela, the founding Commander-in-Chief of uMkhonto weSizwe.” The letter, seen by African Times, accuses the President of multiple violations of the Constitution and undermining democratic principles. It follows…