JOHANNESBURG - From one explosive press briefing to a national inquiry, National Treasury’s decision to withhold funding from 69 municipalities, and a multi-million-rand gemstone heist all dominated headlines this week.
Here’s what you may have missed.
What began as a dramatic media briefing has evolved into one of South Africa’s most significant commissions of inquiry.
On 6 July 2025, KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made allegations that sent shockwaves through the country’s criminal justice system, prompting the establishment of the Madlanga Commission.
Nearly a year later, the commission has heard testimony from more than 60 witnesses, including senior SAPS officials, politicians, Crime Intelligence officers, Hawks members, NPA officials, metro police officers, protected witnesses and forensic experts.
One year after Mkhwanazi’s briefing, many of his allegations remain under scrutiny.
The commission continues to test evidence as South Africans await answers about alleged corruption, political interference and organised crime within the country’s law enforcement agencies.
National Treasury has defended its decision to withhold funding from 69 municipalities, saying the move is intended to improve financial management rather than undermine service delivery.
The department says the affected municipalities have persistently failed to comply with financial management legislation.
However, the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) argues that the country’s municipal funding model needs urgent reform.
Among the municipalities affected is the City of Johannesburg.
Despite the funding freeze, Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero insists the metro is not facing a financial crisis and says plans are in place to restore the city’s finances and improve service delivery.
A case linked to the alleged R15-million gemstone heist returned to court this week.
Adrian Norman MacKenzie and Etienne van der Walt briefly appeared in the Johannesburg magistrate’s court on charges stemming from the alleged 2023 robbery of six boxes containing high-grade sugilite and manganese stones in Killarney.
The State alleges the pair were armed and assaulted the complainant during the robbery.
Evidence before the Madlanga Commission has implicated suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi as the alleged mastermind behind the heist.
A third accused, Kersha-Leigh Stols, also appeared in court this week after handing herself over to police. She joins MacKenzie and Van der Walt in facing robbery and fraud charges.
The matter was postponed to 16 July.