From Daily Maverick · Marianne Thamm · · 3m
Madlanga’s sting: Airport arrests, assassinations, panic attacks
South Africa’s Madlanga Commission arrests 14 officials, links to assassinations and panic attacks.
In brief
South Africa’s Madlanga Commission arrests 14 officials, links to assassinations and panic attacks. South Africa’s Madlanga Commission has arrested 14 officials, including former SAPS Crime Intelligence head Feroz Khan and Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, amid allegations of organized crime and…
Madlanga Commission launches
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South Africa faces commission of inquiry with swift determination rounding up significant numbers of individuals linked to organized crime networks and law enforcement agencies.
Suliman Carrim arrested
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Suliman Carrim, former ANC regional treasurer, was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on charges related to a cold case involving the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality.
Sibiya’s fall from grace
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Shadrack Sibiya, deputy national commissioner for crime detection, was dishonourably discharged after 37 years in the SAPS and faces charges of human trafficking, rape, and grooming an underage girl.
Mogotsi’s self-assassination attempt
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Brown Mogotsi, a political fixer and information peddler, staged a self-assassination attempt in November 2025 to avoid appearing before the Madlanga Commission.
Nkosi’s arrest and charges
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Sergeant Fannie Nkosi, SAPS Gauteng Organised Crime Unit member, was suspended, arrested, and faces 13 criminal charges including theft, fraud, and unlawful possession of explosives.
Khan’s assassination attempt
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Feroz Khan, former suspended deputy head of SAPS Crime Intelligence, was shot and wounded in an alleged assassination attempt a day before a scheduled appearance at the Madlanga Commission.
Mashazi’s legal troubles
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Former Ekurhuleni city manager Imogen Mashazi faces charges of fraud, corruption, and defeating the ends of justice after a blue light scandal involving Matlala.
Mkhwanazi’s criminal cases
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Julius Mkhwanazi, former Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department deputy chief, faces charges including kidnapping, murder, and robbery after the beating death of Emmanuel Mbense.
Johnson’s project diversion
Investigating Directorate Against Corruption head Andrea Johnson was accused of colluding with Feroz Khan to have SAPS National Commissioner Fannie Masemola and Crime Intelligence head arrested on trumped-up charges.
Mashaba’s death
Gauteng traffic police Chief Inspector Samuel Mashaba died after being part of operations targeting stolen gold and US dollars at OR Tambo International Airport.
Assassination of van der Merwe
Marius van der Merwe, Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department officer, was assassinated in December 2025 after confessing to disposing of Emmanuel Mbense’s body.
Pretorius’ suicide
Security company employee Wiandre Pretorius turned his gun on himself in February 2025 after being implicated in the tubing and torture of Emmanuel Mbense.
Madlanga Commission’s impact
The Madlanga Commission has referred 14 officials for immediate criminal investigation, linking high-level corruption to organized crime networks and assassinations.
Current status of key figures
Shadrack Sibiya is behind bars awaiting bail on charges of human trafficking, rape, and grooming an underage girl.
Next steps for the commission
The Madlanga Commission continues to investigate high-level corruption, with evidence of organized crime networks and assassinations.
The essence
South Africa’s Madlanga Commission has arrested 14 officials, including former SAPS Crime Intelligence head Feroz Khan and Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, amid allegations of organized crime and assassinations.
