Cyril Ramaphosa backs extensions of police corruption inquiries in South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa is weighing an extension of the Madlanga Commission, a public inquiry into alleged corruption between politicians and senior South African Police Service (SAPS) officials. The commission has highlighted severe shortcomings, including only five of 823 senior officers undergoing lifestyle audits, a forensic backlog of over 298,000 DNA exhibits with many exceeding the 90‑day limit, and chronic delays in the Central Firearms Registry. Crime statistics show the murder rate rising to 39 per 100,000 in 2024/25, with daily murders averaging 58, and escalating extortion that hampers business activity.

In parallel, Ramaphosa signed two proclamations authorising the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to probe maladministration in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality Police and a Gauteng health department tender for voluntary medical male circumcision. The SIU will examine nine municipal contracts, alleged over‑payments, and irregular procurement of branding, catering, and office‑space services, as well as the fairness and transparency of the health tender process.