KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head, Major-General Lesetja Senona, is to face an expedited criminal investigation after President Cyril Ramaphosa accepted the interim recommendations of the Madlanga commission of inquiry into the capture of the criminal justice system. Nine members of the Ekurhuleni Metro will also be investigated.
President Ramaphosa has accepted the recommendations in the interim report, which urges the criminal investigation of five police officers and nine Ekurhuleni Metro officials. "President Ramaphosa has studied the interim report and accepts its recommendations," his office said on Thursday. "President Ramaphosa further welcomes the referrals by the commission of matters for immediate criminal investigation and urgent decisions on prosecution, as well as recommendations on the employment status and recommended suspension of individuals."
The five police officers facing investigation are Major-General Lesetja Senona, Major-General Richard Shibiri, Brigadier Mbangwa Nkhwashu, Brigadier Rachel Matjeng, and Sergeant Fannie Nkosi.
Senona, the KwaZulu-Natal head of the Hawks, testified before the commission on Wednesday, claiming he sought to end his relationship with tenderpreneur Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala before the latter’s arrest for attempted murder. However, commission chairperson, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, made it plain that he did not believe this narrative.
The charges investigated against those implicated in the interim report will include corruption, fraud, murder, and perjury.
The Ekurhuleni metro officers who will face criminal investigation include suspended EMPD chief Julius Mkhwanazi, officers Bafana Twala and Aiden McKenzie, former city manager Imogen Mashazi, head of human resources Linda Gxasheka, and the metro’s head of legal, Advocate Kemi Behari.
The presidency said Ramaphosa urged law enforcement agencies to act with speed in the investigations to restore public trust in the law enforcement agencies, which has been battered by allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of high-level political meddling and corruption.
The president has also ordered Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and national commissioner General Fannie Masemola to assemble a special investigations task team to launch the investigations against those implicated at the Madlanga commission. The head of the team will report directly to Masemola. "Establishing a special unit is critical to ensure that these investigations take place as a matter of urgency," the presidency said.
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