Madlanga commission’s year of claims, clashes, tensions and arrests

On September 17 2025, the Justice Mabandla building in Pretoria was packed with journalists, camera operators, lawyers and members of the public as the Madlanga commission opened its first public hearings.

What followed has become one of the most closely watched inquiries in South Africa, with witness testimony placing allegations of criminality, corruption and political interference in the criminal justice system under intense scrutiny.

From tense exchanges in the hearing room to witnesses being confronted with unexpected evidence, the commission has given us moments that will be difficult to forget.

A year on, we have also seen arrests, resignations and disciplinary proceedings involving people whose names featured prominently in the evidence.

Brown Mogotsi spent hours invoking his Section 35 right not to incriminate himself when questioned by the commission.

Then came the dramatic twist. Later that evening, he was arrested in connection with allegations relating to a purported assassination plot.

On his first day before the commission, Mogotsi made extraordinary claims involving Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini and Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, alleging that both had been recruited by the CIA and that he had been tasked with investigating the matter.

The claims became one of the early talking points of the inquiry and were challenged during his testimony. He later withdrew them.

Imagine thinking a document is long gone, only for it to suddenly appear in front of you.

That was the moment Sgt Fannie Nkosi was confronted with an annexure he appeared not to remember seeing. His facial expression said it all.

The evidence became another memorable moment in the commission’s examination of relationships between police officials and people outside the service.

The messages, including the memorable “gorgeous” reference, became a major talking point and put their relationship under intense scrutiny.

After appearing to concede that he had helped fit blue lights to vehicles in a fleet linked to alleged cartel kingpin Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala, Julius Mkhwanazi made an emotional plea to the commission.

“Commissioners, you will be sitting there and I’ll go to prison for a long time. I have kids,” he said.