big 5 cartellatest news & developments
Denial and more denials: Suspended head of organised crime Richard Shibiri at the Madlanga Commission this week. Photo: Screenshot

Shibiri’s dodgy R70K Matlala loan

Shibiri said Matlala’s loan offer came at an opportune time when he wanted to rebuild his property and fix his son’s car

The Madlanga commission wants Mogotsi to submit a medical certificate to back his claim of ill health. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

Mogotsi in contempt at Madlanga Commission as O’Sullivan to return to ad hoc committee

The Madlanga commission wants Mogotsi to submit a medical certificate to back his claim of ill health

Suspended Ekurhuleni head of human resources Linda Gxasheka has denied protecting Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi.  Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

Suspended Ekurhuleni HR head denies protecting EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi

Lindia Gxasheka said she had submitted a forensic report which recommended the suspension of the senior Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department officer

The Madlanga commission wants Mogotsi to submit a medical certificate to back his claim of ill health. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

Mkhwanazi met Cat Matlala in person, says Brown Mogotsi

The North West businessman told parliament’s ad hoc committee that the cartel leader had informed him of having had a meeting with the KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner to resolve his case

President Cyril Ramaphosa. (Photo: by PresidencyZA)

Ad hoc committee on police corruption sends Ramaphosa 120 written questions

The president is expected to respond to the MPs’ questions regarding oversight and reporting on a task team on political killings before conclusion of the committee’s inquiry in March

Suspended Deputy national commissioner for crime detection Shadrack Sibiya. Photo: X

Sibiya denies receiving 20 impalas from Cat Matlala

Deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya said that when he found out the impalas were from Cat Matlala, he stopped the delivery

Proceedings at the Madlanga Commission were briefly disrupted on Monday after Witness F, a member of the South African Police Service organised crime unit, requested a postponement of his testimony, citing medical reasons.
 Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

UPDATED: Witness F hospitalised, Madlanga Commission postpones testimony

The witness’s testimony has been rescheduled for 16 March, the last day of the Madlanga Commission sitting

Can of worms: KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi
sounded the alarm about police corruption. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

A look behind the rot in policing

The Madlanga commission and parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating corruption in policing have opened a crucial public conversation, analysts say

In the hot seat: Private forensic Investigator Paul O’Sullivan said he acted as a concerned citizen who wanted
to “uncapture” the state. Photo: Screenshot

MPs question O’Sullivan’s Ipid control

The private forensic investigator denied having undue influence on the police, insisting he was just a concerned citizen who wanted to help in ‘uncapturing the criminal justice system’

President Cyril Ramaphosa said the army would be deployed to tackle illegal mining and gang violence and pledged urgent action against organised crime. (@PresidencyZA/X)

Ramaphosa announces crackdown on corruption in criminal justice system

The president said the army would be deployed to tackle illegal mining and gang violence and pledged urgent action against organised crime

In the hot seat: Private forensic Investigator Paul O’Sullivan said he acted as a concerned citizen who wanted
to “uncapture” the state. Photo: Screenshot

O’Sullivan accuses Mkhwanazi of running a parallel police force 

The private forensic Investigator described the KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner’s media briefing last July as an attack against rivals within the South African Police Service

Economic Freedom Fighters MP Julius Malema asked why Paul O’Sullivan stated in his affidavit that the committee could not ask him questions regarding events before 1990. (@EFFSouthAfrica/X)

O’Sullivan refuses to answer questions about background

EFF leader Julius Malema urged parliament’s d hoc committee probing corruption in the criminal justice system to compel the private forensic investigator to answer every question posed to him

Friends in high places: This week the Madlanga Commission heard testimony from police officials accused of
leaking information to Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala and acting as middlemen with senior police officials. Photo: GCIS

Matlala’s SAPS links revealed

The commission heard testimony from police officials who regularly sent sensitive information to Matlala and relayed his messages to senior officials

KZN provincial police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

Mkhwanazi and KZN Hawks boss at odds over office removal

KZN police say Lesetja Senona arrived at the office on Saturday and exhibited strange behaviour, prompting security personnel to seize his devices

Brother’s keeper: Lesetja Senona, KZN head of the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (the Hawks), at
the Madlanga inquiry this week. Photo: Screenshot

KZN Hawks boss referred for investigation

Senona this week admitted to being close friends with businessman and alleged cartel leader Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala but denied any involvement in his business activities

KZN Hawks head Lesetja Senona. (Screenshot)

KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head: I only advised ‘Cat’ Matlala

Lesetja Senoma testified that he was not aware of Matlala’s criminal history although they were close, adding that he did not do background checks on friends

KZN provincial police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head says Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi sent him threatening texts

Lesetja Sesona said the KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner sent the messages before his appearance in front of the Madlanga commission

Murder suspect and alleged leader of the Big Five cartel, Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala. (Screenshot)

KwaZulu-Natal Hawks boss denies leaking information to “Cat” Matlala

Lesetja Sesona rejected allegations made against him at the Madlanga Commission, saying his relationship with Matlala was casual, with no business dealings

Suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

‘Mchunu visited police station in ANC regalia,’ KZN deputy police commissioner says

Anthony Gopaul said the suspended police minister broke protocol and often contacted him to request case updates

Bellarmine Chatunga Mugabe, the late former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe’s son, was arrested for attempted murder on Thursday after a shooting at his Hyde Park residence

Killing of Witness D casts doubt on state’s ability to protect those testifying at Madlanga commission

The inquiry into corruption in the criminal justice system will submit its interim report to President Cyril Ramaphosa by 17 December