The South African Police Service has formed a task team to investigate alleged corruption involving police in Ekurhuleni, following recommendations from the Madlanga Commission. The team focuses on 14 individuals named by the Presidency, including members of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department. This initiative addresses serious allegations of criminal activities by a local police group.
In response to findings from the Madlanga Commission, established in August 2025 to probe corrupt ties between crime figures, politicians, and police, President Cyril Ramaphosa directed the South African Police Service (SAPS) to create a dedicated task team. On 29 January 2026, the Presidency identified 14 individuals with prima facie evidence of wrongdoing, including five SAPS and Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) personnel linked to organised crime, and nine others from a corruption network in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg. This network involves current or former Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) members, senior Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality staff, and the head of a local private security firm.
Among those named is Julius Mkhwanazi, who served as acting EMPD head until his suspension in November 2025. Testimony to the commission detailed a corrupt group blending EMPD, SAPS, and private security elements in Ekurhuleni, with Mkhwanazi allegedly as a key figure. The group is accused of using police resources for personal gain through crimes like extortion and murder.
Key incidents include the 15 April 2022 torture and killing of warehouse robbery suspect Emmanuel Mbense, aimed at seizing stolen goods, and the possible involvement in the March 2023 murder of police informer Jaco Hanekom. A witness, private security officer Marius van der Merwe, provided anonymous testimony about these events but was shot dead outside his home on 5 December 2025, weeks after speaking out. A civilian linked to Mbense's death, described as a person of interest in van der Merwe's killing, died by suicide on 7 February 2026.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) submitted its probe into Mbense's murder to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on 4 February 2026. SAPS National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola announced the task team's formation at a 7 February briefing, noting it includes experienced detectives, forensic experts, and crime intelligence analysts. New National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Andy Mothibi stated the team would incorporate senior prosecutors for guided investigations, alongside the Asset Forfeiture Unit.
Experts emphasise that while this step is positive, broader systemic reforms are needed to combat entrenched police corruption across South Africa, as highlighted in a recent Institute for Security Studies report.
