Intelligence Knew About Explosive Police Briefing – And Briefed Ramaphosa Days Before

Dr Ntandazo Sifolo, Acting Coordinator of the National Intelligence Coordinating Committee (NICOC), has told the Madlanga Commission that intelligence structures were already aware of the events building up to Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s bombshell media briefing on 6 July 2025. He also confirmed that President Cyril Ramaphosa was briefed on the matter before that date.

Sifolo’s evidence, given under oath at the commission, places fresh focus on what the country’s intelligence bodies knew, when they knew it, and what steps they took – or failed to take – ahead of Mkhwanazi’s public claims. The KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner used that briefing to allege that criminal syndicates had infiltrated the South African Police Service and other parts of the criminal justice system. He further claimed there was collusion involving senior police officials, politicians and other influential figures.

NICOC brings together intelligence from Crime Intelligence, the State Security Agency and Defence Intelligence. Its role is to give the President and Cabinet a coordinated picture of national security threats. According to Sifolo, reports on organised criminal networks and the infiltration of the criminal justice system were already circulating inside the intelligence community. These reports formed the basis of a verbal briefing given to President Ramaphosa on 30 June 2025 – six days before Mkhwanazi went public.

The Madlanga Commission was set up by the President after Mkhwanazi’s briefing sent shockwaves across the country. Chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, it is investigating allegations of criminality, political interference and corruption inside the police, prosecution service, intelligence agencies and related structures. Hearings have been running for more than a year and have heard from dozens of witnesses.

Sifolo’s testimony is significant because it suggests the highest levels of government were warned about serious threats to the integrity of the criminal justice system before the public found out. It raises questions about why the situation was allowed to reach the point where a senior police general felt he had no choice but to speak out in the media. It also puts pressure on intelligence structures to explain what action, if any, was recommended after the June briefing to the President.

The commission continues to hear evidence on the full extent of the alleged infiltration and the responses of those who were in a position to act. Sifolo’s appearance has already drawn attention to the gap between what intelligence knew and what the public was told.

Source: https://x.com/Abramjee/status/2120907935161155909?a=rOPOmwdNIEkWCa9luJI&s=19