Madlanga Commission must be extended as explosive testimony raises fresh questions — Bloem warns SA

Dennis Bloem, spokesperson for the Activists and Citizens Forum, has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to reconsider his position on the lifespan of the Madlanga Commission, arguing that its work should be extended as increasingly disturbing allegations of corruption and criminal infiltration continue to emerge.

Bloem believes it is premature for the President to announce the conclusion of the commission while witnesses are still exposing potentially serious links between criminal networks and individuals within the country’s law enforcement structures.

He pointed to the testimony of alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, which has raised troubling questions about the extent of criminal infiltration within the criminal justice system, particularly the South African Police Service (SAPS).

During his appearance, Matlala reportedly spoke about meeting former deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya at the residence of Deputy Minister Bernice Swart, alongside an individual identified as Serge Cabonge.

Bloem believes all three individuals should be summoned to appear before the commission to clarify the circumstances surrounding the alleged meeting and respond to questions about their possible connections to the networks being investigated.

He also highlighted the emergence of Hangwani Maumela’s name during Matlala’s testimony. Maumela is a suspect in the Tembisa Hospital corruption scandal, and Bloem believes he should be given an opportunity to explain his alleged involvement.

Furthermore, Bloem called for former police minister Bheki Cele to appear before the commission following allegations concerning substantial sums of money allegedly exchanged between him and Matlala.

Mike van Wyk, chief executive of Medicare24, was also mentioned during Matlala’s testimony in connection with suspicious bricks allegedly suspected to contain cocaine. Bloem insists that he should be summoned to address the allegations.

The concerns extend beyond SAPS, with Bloem pointing to testimony from Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers alleging that senior officials maintained corrupt relationships with criminal figures.

He believes the implicated officers must also be called before the commission to provide explanations and allow the allegations to be properly investigated.

According to Bloem, the revelations suggest that the commission has only scratched the surface of a much deeper problem.

The Activists and Citizens Forum has described the Madlanga Commission as one of the most effective commissions of inquiry, arguing that its investigations are producing visible results and that taxpayers’ money is being put to meaningful use.

Bloem maintains that extending the commission would serve the broader interests of national security, accountability and the fight against organised crime.

He has therefore urged Ramaphosa to reconsider any decision to bring its work to an end, warning that prematurely concluding the inquiry could leave critical questions unanswered.

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