Chief justice Mandisa Maya wants evidence to back up allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi that prosecutors and judicial officers were part of a sophisticated criminal syndicate.
In a media briefing on Sunday, Mkhwanazi detailed events leading to the disbandment of the KwaZulu-Natal task team investigating political assassinations and organised crime.
He said that last December, police minister Senzo Mchunu issued a letter to disband the probe. Mkhwanazi said in March that a total of 121 case dockets under investigation were taken away from the task team directed by deputy national commissioner of crime detection Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya.
Mkhwanazi said the team was dissolved after providing support to the Gauteng organised crime unit, which was investigating high-profile murders and a syndicate controlled by a drug cartel that involved politicians, law enforcement, prosecutors and judicial officers.
“They [the team] were dismantling a criminal syndicate, and I can confirm that the investigation that these members were involved in in Gauteng has unmasked a syndicate that involves politicians who are currently serving in parliament, law enforcement officers, the SA Police Service, metro police and correctional services. They include prosecutors in Gauteng [and] the judiciary, and these are controlled by the drug cartel as well as business people in that province of Gauteng,” he said.
On Thursday, Maya called for evidence and reporting of judicial officers linked to the syndicate to face accountability.
“The judiciary stands firm in its commitment to accountability and the rule of law. If any person, including Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi, has credible evidence of unlawful or unethical conduct committed by a member of the judiciary, they are urged to report such matters to the legally mandated structures of the state,” she said.
She cautioned against unsubstantiated allegations.
“Unsubstantiated allegations, however, regrettably undermine the administration of justice and weaken public trust in our institutions, which are essential to upholding our constitutional democracy.”
Mkhwanazi’s briefing also put the spotlight on Mchunu being linked to businessperson Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who was arrested by the task team in Gauteng last year.
Matlala is in jail awaiting trial for the attempted murder of TV actress Tebogo Thobejane. Earlier this year, the SAPS cancelled a R360m tender that was awarded to Matlala.
Mkhwanazi alleged police found evidence of communication between Brown Mogotsi, and Mchunu. Mchunu has denied knowing Matlala but admitted to knowing Mogotsi.
“Further analysis of the chats indicates that Vusimuzi Cat Matlala is financially supporting the minister of police and Mr Brown Mogotsi’s political endeavours. This is supported by the evidence of conversation and the proof of payments of guests for January 8 travelling costs and the Ghana dinner in Cape Town, which was done in 2025,” Mkhwanazi said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation on Sunday regarding the security and justice system and claims they are infiltrated by criminal syndicates.
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