Visham Panday

[Yusuf Abramjee @Abramjee]

Tune in to @eNCA (DStv Channel 403) at 3pm as we reflect on the first anniversary of Lt. Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s explosive media briefing.

One year later, we’ll examine its impact, the developments that have followed, and what it has meant for policing, accountability and the fight against organised crime in South Africa.

Don’t miss the discussion.

@pule_jones @DasenThathiah

[Newzroom Afrika @Newzroom405]

[WATCH] A year ago, KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi stood before the nation, clad in Special Task Force combat uniform and flanked by heavily armed officers during his no-holds-barred press briefing. Mkhwanazi levelled explosive allegations of political interference, corruption and organised crime within South Africa's criminal justice system. Those claims ultimately led to the establishment of the Madlanga Commission, parliamentary investigations and a series of criminal cases now before the courts. @Vee_Makhoali has more.

[Yusuf Abramjee @Abramjee]

NPA MUST EXPLAIN WHY ADMITTED SERIOUS CRIMES RESULTED IN NO PROSECUTION

@TaxJustice_SA statement

Tax Justice SA has called on the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to explain why Adriano Mazzotti appears never to have faced criminal prosecution despite confessing to tobacco smuggling, tax evasion, unlawful surveillance and attempts to corrupt SARS officials.

The Madlanga Commission heard on Friday that Mazzotti’s admissions formed part of a confidential 2014 settlement with the South African Revenue Service (SARS).

In an affidavit presented to the Commission, Mazzotti admitted to unlawful tobacco imports, manufacturing cigarettes “off the books”, conducting illegal surveillance of SARS officials and paying R800,000 in cash to a legal adviser believed to have influence over SARS officials.

Tax Justice SA founder says South Africans deserve answers.

“The NPA must address one simple but very crucial question. If someone admits to serious crimes involving tax fraud, illicit tobacco trading and attempts to corrupt public officials, why was there apparently no criminal prosecution?

“It is common practice to settle a tax debt. But can South Africans now settle their way out of crime?

“A tax settlement is meant to recover money owed to the fiscus. It should never become a substitute for criminal accountability. If admissions of this scale do not lead to prosecution, public confidence in the justice system is badly damaged and organised crime is allowed to run amok.”

The Commission has also heard evidence of a close relationship between Carnilinx director Mohamed Sayed and suspended Crime Intelligence Major-General Feroz Khan, who survived an apparent assassination attempt last week before he was due to testify.

WhatsApp exchanges placed before the Commission appear to discuss illicit tobacco investigations and reveal an unusually close relationship between the two men.

TJSA said the latest evidence reinforced long-standing concerns that organised crime may have enjoyed protection from within parts of the criminal justice system.

Corruption Watch has questioned why no criminal prosecutions have followed major investigations by SARS, the Financial Intelligence Centre, the South African Reserve Bank and other state agencies into an alleged tobacco and gold smuggling network centred on Gold Leaf Tobacco Corporation and businessman Simon Rudland.

According to Corruption Watch, investigators linked the alleged network to about R8.2 billion in unpaid tax and referred more than 100 individuals and entities to the Hawks and the NPA for investigation.

However, no criminal charges have been laid against Rudland or others in connection with those allegations of illicit tobacco trading, gold smuggling, money laundering, tax fraud and billions of rand flowing offshore.

“South Africans are seeing a worrying pattern,” said TJSA. “On one hand we have Mr Mazzotti’s admissions of serious criminal conduct that apparently resulted in no prosecution. On the other we have years of investigations, allegations involving R8.2 billion in unpaid tax and referrals by multiple state agencies, yet still no criminal charges.

“The NPA owes the public an explanation. If there is not enough evidence to prosecute, it should say so. If there is, South Africans deserve to know why these cases have not reached a courtroom.

“Nobody should be above the law. Justice cannot depend on wealth, influence or political connections.”

[Yusuf Abramjee @Abramjee]

JUST IN:

The municipal manager of Madibeng Municipality, Quiet Kgatla, survived an apparent assassination attempt after being shot multiple times on the R511 at Silkaatsnek near Hartbeespoort.

Gunmen travelling in a dark grey Volkswagen Polo opened fire on Kgatla’s vehicle before fleeing the scene.

He sustained gunshot wounds to his arm and pelvis and was taken to hospital in Brits.

[Yusuf Abramjee @Abramjee]

Here is a 2022 report about links between Yusuf Kajee, Imraan Vally and Zuma.

https://t.co/qArKf8evFZ

[Yusuf Abramjee @Abramjee]

MP Crossby Vusi Shongwe will testify at the Madlanga Commission today.

Shongwe testified at the Ad Hoc Committee that he was called to a meeting where Maj- Gen Feroz Khan joined via video call, and he was asked to back down.

@pule_jones

[Man’s NOT Barry Roux @AdvoBarryRoux]

Why Crime Intelligence Boss Major-General Feroz Khan, the richest General in the South Africa Police Service driving in a Baleno?

[SikonathiMantshantsh @SikonathiM]

Mkhwanazi to IDAC: ‘Don’t call me directly... call my support staff if you want to meet’ https://t.co/o7Ium2fksY

[Sunflower @Sunflowerreal]

Commissioners 👇🏿👇🏿👇🏿

[Yusuf Abramjee @Abramjee]

COMMENT:

The latest revelation that Lt.Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi told the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) not to contact him directly, but instead to go through his support staff for any meeting, is another clear indication that relations between the two institutions have deteriorated significantly.

This is about far more than administrative protocol.

It reflects a breakdown in trust between two agencies that should be working together in the fight against organised crime and corruption.

Instead of presenting a united front, there have been weeks of public accusations, counter-accusations and increasingly hostile exchanges.

South Africans expect SAPS and IDAC to cooperate, share intelligence where appropriate and pursue criminal investigations without unnecessary conflict.

Criminal syndicates benefit when law enforcement agencies are distracted by internal disputes rather than focusing on dismantling organised crime networks.

If there are legitimate legal or procedural concerns, they should be addressed through established institutional channels. Equally, investigators must be allowed to do their work independently and without interference.

Professional engagement between senior law enforcement officials is essential, particularly when dealing with complex corruption and organised crime investigations.

Public confidence in the criminal justice system has already been severely tested.

Continued public sparring between senior police leadership and IDAC risks undermining that confidence even further.

The focus should return to the real enemy: organised crime, corruption and those who have infiltrated state institutions.

South Africa cannot afford a situation where law enforcement agencies appear to be at odds with one another while criminal networks continue to exploit those divisions.

The country needs cooperation, professionalism and accountability -not institutional conflict.

@pule_jones @DasenThathiah

[Yusuf Abramjee @Abramjee]

Lawyers representing Lt-Gen Dumisane Khumalo, Maj-Gen Lushaba, Maj-Gen Madondo and Maj-Gen Lekalakala have lodged a formal complaint against the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) and written to the Minister of Justice regarding the handling of their criminal case.

The complaint relates to the case currently before the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.

The four senior police officers were arrested by IDAC on 26 June 2025 on allegations that they conspired to provide a gratification through the appointment of Brigadier D. Mokwele and, alternatively, misrepresented information contained in Mokwele’s curriculum vitae.

In their complaint, the officers’ legal team challenges the basis of the prosecution, arguing that the charges stem from actions taken while serving on an interview panel appointed by then Acting Deputy National Commissioner Lt-Gen Nkhua.

The lawyers have requested scrutiny of IDAC’s conduct and the manner in which the investigation and prosecution were pursued.

Last week, IDAC held back on arresting Generals Khumalo and Madondo after they were summoned to the Brooklyn Police Station in Pretoria.

“Our clients and ourselves are available to discuss this matter with the Minister of
Justice and Constitutional Development to give full and further details should the
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development so require,” says the letter.

@pule_jones

[Africa Research Desk @MightiJamie]

General Mkhwanazi did not come with empty files.

Media even asked where is the evidence - we have even seen video of cocaine sales, messages & bank records.

Adv Andrea Johnson however did not prove her main claims in parliament and did not provide documents MPs requested ‼️

[Ziyanda N @ZiyandaNgcobo]

BREAKING: SAPS, IDAC ROW DEEPENS

Crime intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo and maj-gen Nozipho Madondo have filed complaints with ministers of Justice & police as well as the NDPP following the arrest threats debacle.

They have also written to IDAC head Andrea Johnson wanting to know why their warning statements were not taken.

Their lawyers have asked the justice minister to look into whether IDAC has been acting within its constitutional mandate.

#SAPSWars #DumisaniKhumalo #IDACArrests

[Tau e Tshehadi @D_Molatoli]

General Godfrey Lebeya must be called from pension to come and account for his legacy at the DPCI. He was the Head from 2018 till he retired in 2025. The deployment of people like General Senona to KZN for example, and all these drugs thefts, happened under his watch. Senona repeatedly mentioned on Friday to have received instructions from his office for the transfer of Colonel Sander from the Drugs Unit, SANEB. Senona submitted reports about disciplinary investigations into bogus charges to "Head Office". This Commission cannot wrap up and close without calling him to account. The Commission's recommendations on what must happen with DPCI going forward, which some of us wish could actually be disbanded, will come from his appearance. #MadlangaCommission

[Goolam @goolamv]

THIS IS HOW DISORGANISED THE NPA IS:

In perhaps one of the biggest shock in the @amaBhungane Documentary about the NPA, a voice recording was discovered wherein Advocate Andrea Johnson, head of the National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate says to her team:

"I ask that everybody go to court ,because you are a team but we ask that everyone be dressed to the 9's and they were dressed to the 9's and I ask that they carry those file boxes and make sure the spines are all marked EVEN IF THERE IS NOTHING IN THE FILE"

So in simple terms NPA were making arrests, came to court with tons of files acting as thou they have all the evidence but files were perhaps empty. FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT. I have no words. I just can't process this.
FIRE THEM ALL IMMEDIATELY. THE NPA IS A DISGRACE. BRING BACK Glynnis Breytenbach