Latest news with #criminalsyndicate
News24
13-07-2025
- Politics
- News24
Ramaphosa establishes commission of inquiry into SAPS, puts Mchunu on special leave
President Cyril Ramaphosa established a judicial commission of inquiry into allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on Sunday. Read his full address to the nation below: My Fellow South Africans, I address you this evening on a matter that concerns the security of our country, the integrity of our law enforcement agencies and the safety of our people. Last Sunday, the 6th of July 2025, Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service, held a media briefing in which he made public serious allegations about the existence and operation of a sophisticated criminal syndicate that has allegedly infiltrated law enforcement and intelligence structures in South Africa. Lt Gen Mkhwanazi alleged that the Minister of Police allegedly interfered with sensitive police investigations and colluded with business people, including a murder accused, to disband the Political Killings Task Team based in KwaZulu-Natal. Lt Gen Mkhwanazi also said that a police investigation by the task team in Gauteng unmasked a syndicate controlled by a drug cartel, which involves politicians, law enforcement officials from the SAPS, metro police and correctional services, prosecutors and the judiciary, as well as business people. The allegations made in this media briefing raise serious concerns around the constitution, the rule of law and national security. These allegations, if proven true, threaten to undermine the confidence of South Africans in the ability of the South African Police Service to protect them and to effectively fight crime and corruption. South Africans are concerned about corruption and the rise of criminality in our country, which manifests itself in the killing of innocent people, gender-based violence, gang violence, kidnappings, construction mafia criminality and many others. As we intensify the fight against crime, it is vital that we safeguard the integrity and credibility of the police and other law enforcement agencies. These allegations therefore call for an urgent and comprehensive investigation. To address these allegations and the implications of these allegations, I am establishing a judicial commission of inquiry chaired by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga. Justice Madlanga will be assisted by Advocate Sesi Baloyi SC and Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC. The Commission will investigate allegations relating to the infiltration of law enforcement, intelligence and associated institutions within the criminal justice system by criminal syndicates. Among the allegations that the Commission may investigate are the facilitation of organised crime; suppression or manipulation of investigations; inducement into criminal actions by law enforcement leadership; commission of any other criminal offences and intimidation, victimisation or targeted removal of whistleblowers or officials resisting criminal influence. The Commission will investigate the role of current or former senior officials in certain institutions who may have aided or abetted the alleged criminal activity; failed to act on credible intelligence or internal warnings; or benefited financially or politically from a syndicate's operations. These institutions are the South African Police Service, National Prosecuting Authority, State Security Agency, the Judiciary and Magistracy, and the metropolitan police departments of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane. The Commission will also investigate whether any members of the National Executive responsible for the criminal justice system, were complicit, aided and abetted, or participated in the acts mentioned above. The Commission will be asked to report on the effectiveness or failure of oversight mechanisms, and the adequacy of current legislation, policies and institutional arrangements in preventing such infiltration. It will make findings and recommendations for criminal prosecutions, disciplinary actions and institutional reform. Once established, the Commission shall consider prima facie evidence relating to the involvement of individuals currently employed within law enforcement or intelligence agencies. Where appropriate, the Commission must make recommendations on the employment status of such officials, including whether they should be suspended pending the outcome of further investigations. The Commission will have the power to refer matters for immediate criminal investigation an urgent decisions on prosecution, taking into account the nature of the allegations and evidence the Commission will uncover. It is critical that these matters be attended to with the necessary urgency and thoroughness. The Commission is expected to complete its work and submit a final report to the President. Interim reports are expected after 3 and 6 months respectively. The final report of the Commission will be sent to the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chief Justice. Acting Deputy Chief Justice Madlanga is retiring from the Constitutional Court at the end of July 2025 after years of distinguished service, and will therefore be able to give his full time and attention to the work of this commission. In order for the Commission to execute its functions effectively, I have decided to put the Minister of Police Mr Senzo Mchunu on a leave of absence with immediate effect. The Minister has undertaken to give his full cooperation to the Commission to enable it to do its work. I have decided to appoint Professor Firoz Cachalia as acting Minister of Police. Professor Cachalia is currently a professor of law at the University of the Witwatersrand and is the chairperson of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council. He previously served as an MEC of Community Safety in Gauteng. I am appointing Prof Cachalia in terms of Section 91(3)(c) of the Constitution, which empowers the President to select no more than two Ministers from outside the National Assembly. Professor Cachalia will be retiring from his current position at the University of Witwatersrand at the end of July. I will appoint an acting minister from within Cabinet until Professor Cachalia takes up his post at the beginning of August. This Commission is being established against the backdrop of significant progress in rebuilding and strengthening our country's law enforcement agencies and security services. In recent years, the South African Police Service, the Special Investigating Unit, the Asset Forfeiture Unit and other bodies have been making important inroads in the fight against organised crime and corruption. It is essential that we maintain this momentum and that we intensify this work. We will ensure that the SAPS and other law enforcement agencies continue to function without hindrance as the commission undertakes its work. I call on all members of our law enforcement agencies and security services to remain steadfast in upholding the rule of law and adhering to their code of conduct. I call on all South Africans to support the commission in its work and, where appropriate, to provide any information or assistance the commission may require. In establishing this Commission of Inquiry, we are affirming our commitment to the rule of law, to transparency and accountability, and to building a South Africa in which all people are safe and secure. I thank you.
The Herald
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
Police minister denies association with Matlala and Mogotsi
Police minister Senzo Mchunu denies having met or spoken to Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala. However, he knows and has met Brown Mogotsi, who is a comrade and not an associate of the minister. This follows allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. On Sunday, Mkhwanazi dropped a bombshell when he exposed an alleged criminal syndicate embedded in the police, judiciary and political leadership shielding drug cartels, sabotaging investigations and using police contracts to fund ANC political campaigns. He claimed more than 120 case dockets were removed and the political killings task team was compromised on orders linked to Mchunu and deputy national police commissioner for crime detection Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya . The ministry's spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, said it was important to clarify the minister has never met Matlala. 'The minister has never met Mr Matlala, has never spoken to him and has never requested or received anything from him. 'He did, however, initiate a review of the SA Police Service tender awarded to him when suspicions of possible wrongdoing surfaced. The tender has since been terminated,' Mogotsi said. She said while Mchunu knows and has met Mogotsi, he is a comrade and not an associate. 'The minister has never requested or received anything from him.' TimesLIVE
ABC News
02-07-2025
- ABC News
Papua New Guinea police say they caught NSW man with 60 kilograms of cocaine in Port Moresby hotel
An Australian man has allegedly been caught with 60 kilograms of cocaine at a hotel in Papua New Guinea's capital, Port Moresby. The 45-year-old man from New South Wales was apprehended by PNG police at the North Waigani Universal Lodge around 10pm last night. Police allege he was in possession of 60 kilograms of cocaine, estimated to have a street value worth millions of dollars. The man is being held in custody while police charge him with serious drug trafficking offences. PNG Police Commissioner David Manning says a broader investigation is underway. "While specific details of the arrest overnight cannot be released until the matter goes to court, police operations are ongoing into the broader criminal syndicate," Commissioner Manning said. He added it was a warning to anyone who thinks they can get away with trafficking drugs to Papua New Guinea. "The arrest last night adds to the list of criminals who have been caught transporting or facilitating the movement of drugs over recent years," Commissioner Manning said.
News.com.au
29-06-2025
- News.com.au
Police seize more than 100kg of meth in suburban drug lab bust
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) have disrupted a criminal syndicate and busted their suburban meth lab in Sydney's west. The Fairfield East home was raided on 19 June, where investigators found a clandestine drug lab. In their search the AFP found 77kg of drug-impregnated materials, 39kg of pre-manufactured methamphetamine, and 35kg of liquid allegedly containing methamphetamine. The raid came after a lengthy probe into the syndicate, starting in October 2023. US Customs initially detected 27kg of meth headed to Australia concealed in blankets from South America, with intelligence passed on to AFP. It is alleged the blankets were saturated in the drug, and had an estimated street value of $25m. The smuggling attempt was linked to a phone number that had previously tried to smuggle drugs across the border. Following further investigations police searched two properties in Sydney's western suburbs in April last year. At a Cabramatta home police located two electronic devices, while at a Canley Vale house they located an encrypted communication device which police later examined. Police inquiries led their search to the Fairfield East home. Inquiries remain ongoing into the syndicate. AFP Detective Superintendent Morgen Blunden said that criminal groups are only motivated by greed and profit. 'The people behind importations like this have no regard for the harm and damage that illicit drugs wreak on the Australian community every minute of every day,' Superintendent Blunden said. 'I want to acknowledge the dedication and professionalism of all the AFP members involved in these investigations, from investigators and intelligence members to all of our other support capabilities. 'I also wish to thank our counterparts at NSW Police, in particular the Drug & Firearms Squad Chemical Operations team for their specialist and expert assistance in this matter.' Images from the search of the Fairfield East home show tubs of alleged drugs, what appears to be a kitchen lab, and a red press. Electronic devices found at the home will be subject to further examination. No arrests or charges have been made at this time.
RNZ News
25-06-2025
- RNZ News
Nine baggage handlers at Auckland Airport in $24m drug smuggling bust
Some of the seized drugs. Photo: Supplied / NZ police A joint investigation has foiled a criminal syndicate's operation, whose members have allegedly facilitated the smuggling of class A drugs through Auckland Airport. Police and Customs raided nearly two dozen properties across Auckland on Wednesday as part of Operation Matata. Eighteen arrests have been made, including nine baggage handlers and another staff member working at the country's busiest airport. Those arrested are 17 men, aged between 20 and 42, and a 19-year-old woman. All were due to appear in the Manukau District Court on Wednesday afternoon and on Thursday. Detective Inspector Tom Gollan said the operation began on 20 March 2025, when a man was arrested outside an East Tamaki address after 25 kilograms of methamphetamine was discovered in his vehicle. Since then, detectives from the National Organised Crime Group and counterparts at Customs have uncovered a wider group organising and making it possible for controlled drugs to be smuggled through Auckland Airport. "Police will allege in court that this group imported controlled drugs through the airport on six occasions," Detective Inspector Gollan said. "As a result, approximately 64 kilograms of methamphetamine and 3.4 kilograms of cocaine has been seized by Customs and police." Photo: Supplied / NZ police The methamphetamine had a street value of $22.5 million while the cocaine was worth $1.5m. He said the drugs would have gone on to cause significant harm and cost to New Zealand communities. "Insider threats pose a threat to this country, and we are pleased to continue to work with Auckland Airport authorities, Customs and overseas law enforcement agencies to stamp this out." The gun that was seized during searches. Photo: Supplied / NZ police Customs investigations manager Dominic Adams said: "These individuals are alleged to have abused their trusted positions as airport workers to smuggle significant amounts of harmful drugs into New Zealand. "There is zero tolerance for this type of behaviour and this operation signals the action that law enforcement, with the support of industry partners, has taken against those who thought they could operate outside of the law and profit from their criminal activities." While the search warrants were being carried out, officers found a significant amount of cash along with quantities of cocaine and a sawn-off shotgun. Those arrested will face serious drugs charges, including importation, supply and possession for supply of the class A controlled drugs methamphetamine and cocaine. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
