NPA boss Advocate Andy Mothibi says more arrests are expected within weeks as investigations linked to the Madlanga Commission gather pace.
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National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) boss Advocate Andy Mothibi has indicated that further arrests related to the Madlanga Commission can be expected in the coming weeks, including individuals who have already appeared before it.
He was speaking at a National Press Club event commemorating the Constitution’s 30th anniversary on Thursday.
Mothibi said the SAPS task team is working to finalise more cases.
“There are matters that are in the pipeline. There are imminent arrests that will be happening soon, as in a week or two, in relation to what has come out of the Madlanga Commission,” he told eNCA.
When asked which municipality was involved - whether the City of Johannesburg, the City of Tshwane or the City of Ekurhuleni - Mothibi declined to provide details.
“Well, at the moment, I really can't… the briefing that I got was really amongst others to ensure that the delegation of authority for prosecution is in place. We will be ensuring that they are in place in various courts where the suspects, once arrested, will appear. I cannot at the moment indicate that.”
Mothibi revealed that some of those set to be arrested have already appeared before the Madlanga Commission.
“Some of them have, yes,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Madlanga Commission continues to expose alleged rot and corruption in the justice system.
The commission was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa after KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made explosive allegations in July 2025 about corruption, political interference and the protection of criminal networks within the justice system.
Three months after the establishment of the police’s Madlanga task team, arrests have been made as investigations continue.
In January, Ramaphosa announced the specialised team after receiving the first interim report from the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
Police maintain the arrests are not linked to evidence presented before the commission but say more cases are being pursued.
The Madlanga Commission has prompted the creation of the task team to fast-track investigations.
Suspended EMPD deputy chief Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi, City manager for the City of Ekurhuleni Kagiso Lerutla, Suspended and disgraced Fannie Ezekiel Nkosi, from the Gauteng Organised Crime Unit, and former former South African Police Service (SAPS) Special Task Force member Matipandile Sotheni, are some of the people who were arrested in connection with the events unfolding at the Madlanga Commission.
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Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi, the suspended deputy chief of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), was arrested on April 18, 2026, at his home.
He faces charges of fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice.
Mkhwanazi is appearing in court with Kagiso Lerutla, city manager for the City of Ekurhuleni.
Lerutla was arrested on April 19, 2026, at OR Tambo International Airport.
He faces charges of fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice.
The state alleges that in March 2019, both accused worked together to evade court proceedings.
After Lerutla was arrested for speeding and required to appear in court, they allegedly recruited and paid a third party to impersonate him in court and had the impersonator complete legal diversion documents using Lerutla’s details.
They allegedly shared about R400,000 for carrying out the scheme.
Suspended and disgraced Fannie Ezekiel Nkosi, from the Gauteng Organised Crime Unit, is also in the dock.
He was arrested on April 2, 2026, after a raid at his home in Pretoria North.
He previously appeared before the commission as one of three disgraced police officers.
Authorities allegedly found multiple firearms, ammunition, missing police dockets linked to violent crimes, and cash hidden in the house.
He faces charges of unlawful possession of explosives, three counts of failing to safeguard firearms, eight counts of failing to safeguard ammunition, failure to comply with firearm safe regulations, and theft.
Another accused, Matipandile Sotheni, 41, is also in the dock.
Sotheni is a former South African Police Service (SAPS) Special Task Force member (STF).
He is accused of acting as the hitman in the December 2025 killing of whistleblower Marius van der Merwe (“Witness D”), following testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
He faces charges including premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit murder, three counts of attempted murder (related to the victim’s family), unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.
Meanwhile, as the Madlanga Commission continues its investigation, more arrests are expected.
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said the authority to extend the Madlanga Commission rests with President Cyril Ramaphosa.
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Speaking on the sidelines of the National Press Club event, Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said while the commission continues its work, the authority to grant any further extension rests with Ramaphosa.
Her remarks follow her statement to Parliament that additional funding is needed for the commission to continue its mandate.
The commission has been extended to August.
“The Madlanga Commission was extended in March, so everything was done in March,” she said.
“They wouldn't be operating if there was no extension, so everything was done in March. Remember that it was meant to end on March 17th.
“So everything was finished before the end of March when we issued the Gazette of Extension. Everything was done by that time.”
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
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