criminal justice systemlatest news & developments
Nabbed: The 12 senior police officers appearing in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court. Photo: Kamogelo Moichela

How the Cat captured top brass in SAPS

The recent arrests of 12 senior police officials show how the alleged cartel leader took over the procurement process

KZN provincial police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

Cat Matlala’s cellblock friend spills the beans to Mkhwanazi

Mkhwanazi told the ad hoc committee that he maintained that Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala approached him as an informer and was used by key individuals in organised crime

Suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

Mchunu disbandment letter divided SAPS

The national police commissioner said his deputies were divided on whether to implement a directive to disband the political killings task team

Police officer Fannie Nkosi, known as Witness F, told the Madlanga commission that suspended deputy national police commissioner for crime detection Shadrack Sibiya had requested Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala (above) to arrest social media blogger Musa Khawula. Photo: GCIS

SAPS asked Matlala to arrest Musa Khawula

Police officer Fannie Nkosi says deputy police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya requested Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala to arrest Musa Khawula

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

Accusations: Witnesses have told the Madlanga commission that suspended head of the organised crime unit in theSAPS, Richard Shibiri, informed
them that there were three envelopes floating around. Photo: Screenshot from proceedings

Shibiri: ‘I didn’t offer bribes’

The senior police office told the Madlanga commission that he was simply warning investigators in a case involving Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala case that they should not be swayed by bribes

Suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

Mchunu disbanded political killings task team as police commissioner Masemola started leave

Deputy national police commissioner for crime detection Tebello Mosikili said the timing of the now suspended police minister’s disbandment letter was suspect

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

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has financially backed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Sona. (GCIS)

Godongwana financially backs Ramaphosa’s tough talk on crime

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has signalled increased spending on peace and security in his budget speech from R268.2 billion in 2025/26 to R291.2 billion in 2028/29. The allocation follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement in his State of the Nation address (Sona) that the defence force will be deployed alongside the police to combat illegal mining […]

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

New broom: Advocate Andy Mothibi Photo: GCIS

New NPA boss Mothibi in hot seat

Incoming NDPP lauded for his anti-corruption record as head of the SIU while critics see red

KZN provincial police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

Ad hoc committee consults witnesses ahead of second phase of hearings

The parliamentary committee is scheduled to hear evidence on corruption in the policing system until 20 February

Andy Mothibe has been appointed as the new national director of public prosecutions. File photo by Paul Botes

Ramaphosa bypasses shortlisted candidates, appoints Andy Mothibi as new NPA head

The president picked the SIU head after an advisory panel found none of the six candidates interviewed late last year suitable for the post

Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. (SAPS/X)

Mkhwanazi warns Madlanga commission of ‘risk of total collapse’ in justice system

The KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner said his testimony will first deal with the disbanding of political killings task team in the province and then the influence of criminal syndicates in the police service

Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga

Madlanga inquiry into police corruption to hear first witness in August

The commission is yet to secure premises, finalise rules and consult witnesses for the six-month inquiry into criminality and political interference in the criminal justice system

People languish behind bars for years in countries like eSwatini and Malawi before their cases come to court.

Reform the African criminal justice system, starting with prisons oversight

air and timely access to justice is enshrined in the African Charter, yet many spend years behind bars, their cases in limbo or never brought before a court.

For some time, public health workers and criminologists have expressed concern that incarceration creates serious public health issues.
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South Africa’s stigma against ex-offenders fuels recidivism

Our country has a recidivism rate of about 90% compared to 6% to 8% for China, an authoritarian regime where mass executions of re-offenders is common