South Africans React After Commission Hears Ramaphosa Was Briefed On Criminal Networks

President Cyril Ramaphosa had received intelligence about organised criminal networks and the alleged infiltration of South Africa’s criminal justice system six days before Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made his explosive public allegations in July 2025.

The revelation emerged during Thursday’s proceedings at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where Acting Coordinator of the National Intelligence Coordinating Committee (NICOC), Dr Ntandazo Sifolo, gave evidence about intelligence reports concerning organised crime and threats to state institutions.

Sifolo told the commission that NICOC had briefed Ramaphosa verbally on June 30, 2025, ahead of Mkhwanazi’s July 6 media briefing. He explained that the information presented to the President was based on intelligence reports dealing with criminal networks and their alleged influence within the criminal justice system.

“Apart from the national intelligence estimate reports, there were reports on matters about organised criminal networks and infiltration of the criminal justice system that served as a basis for a verbal briefing to the President prior to the July 6 2025 media briefing, particularly on June 30 2025,” Sifolo told the commission.

The testimony has brought renewed attention to the events surrounding Mkhwanazi’s public appearance, during which the KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner raised serious allegations about organised crime operating within law enforcement and other state institutions.

Mkhwanazi alleged that a powerful criminal network, sometimes referred to as the “Big 5”, had infiltrated several parts of the criminal justice system, including the police, metro police, Correctional Services, the National Prosecuting Authority and the judiciary.

He also accused then Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of being used by criminal networks to dismantle the Political Killings Task Team. Mchunu was subsequently placed on special leave, while the Madlanga Commission was established to investigate the allegations.

Sifolo’s evidence has also prompted reactions from South Africans on social media, with several users questioning what happened after the intelligence briefing.

One commenter argued that the President should already have been aware of the situation because intelligence structures report to his office. Another questioned whether any urgent action followed the June 30 briefing.

Others said the testimony helped explain why Mkhwanazi eventually chose to address the nation publicly, while some called for Ramaphosa to appear before the commission.

However, the testimony that Ramaphosa received the briefing does not, on its own, establish what action followed or suggest that he was involved in the alleged criminal networks.

The commission’s investigation continues to examine the relationship between organised crime, political figures and institutions responsible for enforcing the law.

Source: https://x.com/brieflyza/status/2120894691616899100?s=46

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