JOHANNESBURG - Exactly a year ago, on 6 July 2025, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi stepped out before the media and delivered a press conference that would send shockwaves through the justice system.
Flanked by members of the SAPS Special Task Force (STF) and dressed in SAPS combat camouflage, Mkhwanazi made allegations that triggered a ripple effect, launching an inquiry that has differed starkly from the Zondo Commission, which probed allegations of state capture.
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The over an hour-long briefing saw Mkhwanazi draw the attention of the country to what he stated was a deliberate obstruction of the justice system by several entities, including top officials in the criminal justice system.
Among those he accused were Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya.
Mkwanazi alleged that they played a role in dismantling the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), which was investigating politically sensitive murder cases.
Mkhwanazi alleged that investigations had been derailed and that 121 case dockets were removed from PKTT (Political Killings Task Team) and left to gather dust in Pretoria, effectively stalling investigations.
He also alleged the involvement of politicians, judiciary members and business people in a criminal syndicate.
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Mkhwanazi revealed that evidence found on the cellphone of accused underworld figure Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala linked Mchunu to unauthorised communications through an associate, so-called political fixer Brown Mogotsi.
Mkhwanazi said Matlala, who was arrested in May 2025 for attempted murder, had been awarded a R228-million police contract.
At the time, the allegations seemed almost too extraordinary to comprehend.
Yet within days, the claims had triggered a reaction.
President Cyril Ramaphosa established the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System.
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It was to be chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga. Together with advocates Sesi Baloyi and Sandile Khumalo, Madlanga is probing the allegations arising from Mkhwanazi's press conference.
Parliament, meanwhile, established an Ad Hoc Committee to scrutinise the allegations.
Parliament also established an ad hoc committee to scrutinise the claims and broader concerns about alleged corruption within law enforcement.
Over the past year, testimony before the commission has highlighted alleged failures within the police, Crime Intelligence, the National Prosecuting Authority and parts of the executive. The commission, however, is still hearing evidence and has not yet made formal findings.
A year later, several arrests have been made, including Matlala.
The question is no longer simply, are Mkhwanazi’s claims true? It’s how much more we will find out as the inquiry continues.