South Africa's Madlanga Commission probes police corruption and drug cartel ties

South Africa's Madlanga Commission, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, has concluded its second phase of hearings into alleged police corruption and organised‑crime infiltration. The inquiry examined the 2024 tender awarded to businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s company Medicare24, which was later cancelled, and heard senior officer Brig Rachel Matjeng claim she received gifts such as Ozempic from Matlala rather than bribes.

Matlala, accused of leading the “Big Five” drug‑trafficking cartel, is in custody facing 25 charges, including attempted murder. The commission also investigated two 2021 drug operations that yielded 541 kg of cocaine, later stolen from a Hawks headquarters because of inadequate security. Senior Hawks officials described procedural failures and suggested the theft was not coincidental. An interim report has been delivered to President Cyril Ramaphosa, with a final phase scheduled for next month.