When Justice Madlanga, chair of the Madlanga Commission, announced an unexpected pause to the hearings, the nation’s attention snapped to Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo, the head of Crime Intelligence at the South African Police Service (SAPS). The adjournment, set for Monday, 13 October 2025 at 09:00 SAST, will take place at the Brigette Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria, Gauteng, after Khumalo fell ill on 1 October. The delay matters because his testimony is seen as the linchpin in uncovering alleged links between a criminal cartel and senior government officials.

Background to the Madlanga Commission

Established under the Commissions Act 8 of 1947, the inquiry was launched in early September 2025 by presidential proclamation to probe deep‑seated corruption within South Africa’s law‑enforcement hierarchy. Chaired by Justice Madlanga, the commission has subpoena power and has already heard from four senior officers, each shedding light on a web of WhatsApp messages, bribery rumours, and alleged protection rackets.

One of the most explosive threads involves alleged communications between alleged cartel figure Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala and Brown Mogotsi, a name tied to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. The messages, if verified, could suggest a direct conduit for criminal influence inside the ministry.

The Sudden Illness and Adjournment

On the morning of 1 October, Khumalo arrived at the Justice College, greeted the evidence leads, and then, within minutes, signalled he was feeling unwell. An on‑scene report by Newzroom Afrika’s reporter Ziyanda Ngcobo captured the moment Justice Madlanga stating, “He’s not feeling well this morning; we’ll adjourn for the day.” By 9:03 SAST, the Lieutenant General had left the precinct.

Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels issued a statement on 2 October, citing both Khumalo’s health and the unavailability of Commissioner Sesi Baloyi as reasons for the pause. The next scheduled session, originally set for 6 October, will now reconvene on the 13th, giving Khumalo time to recover and the commission time to regroup.

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola reassured the public, saying Khumalo “is receiving the best medical care and is in good spirits,” though no further medical details were released.

Key Testimony and Its Significance

Khumalo’s role as head of Crime Intelligence places him at the centre of SAPS’s ability to monitor and dismantle organised crime networks. His expected testimony was to clarify the provenance of the WhatsApp exchanges between Matlala and Mogotsi, and to answer whether any senior police officials, including Minister Mchunu’s office, had been privy to or complicit in the alleged cartel activities.

According to a 7 October update from SAPS spokesperson Selinda Phenyo, the lieutenant general is “Recovering Well and Set to Resume Testimony.” The commission’s chair emphasized that Khumalo’s evidence could “close the gaps on the questions surrounding the evidence of the alleged links between Musimi Kat Matala, Brown Maki and the police minister.” (The report contained a few transcription errors, but the gist was clear.)

Analysts note that without Khumalo’s insider perspective, the commission risks an incomplete picture of how intelligence units may have been leveraged to shield criminal actors. The timing also matters: the commission’s original timetable called for daily hearings through 10 October, meaning the postponement compresses the remaining schedule.

Reactions from Officials and the Public

The adjournment sparked a flurry of commentary on social media. Some users demanded transparency, while others cautioned against speculation. The commission itself urged patience, reminding citizens that “the public should refrain from conjecture about the lieutenant general’s illness and its implications for the inquiry.”

Opposition parties have seized the moment to question the government’s commitment to cleaning up the police force. In a parliamentary briefing on 3 October, an MP from the Democratic Alliance asked why the inquiry was being slowed down, hinting at possible political interference. The government’s response, delivered by Deputy Minister of Justice Liyema Tshabalala, stressed that health emergencies are unavoidable and that the commission will resume with “full vigor” on the 13th.

Meanwhile, civil‑society groups such as #SAPSWatch released a statement applauding the commission’s diligence but urging that any further delays be minimized, lest the momentum lose steam.

What Lies Ahead

Looking ahead, the commission’s schedule now reads: 13 October – Khumalo’s testimony; 14‑16 October – cross‑examination of witnesses; 17 October – final submissions; 20 October – possible closing remarks. If Khumalo’s evidence substantiates the alleged WhatsApp links, the next step could be referrals to the National Prosecuting Authority for potential charges against high‑level officials.

Legal experts warn that the commission’s findings, while not binding, carry considerable weight in shaping public opinion and prompting legislative reforms. Should the inquiry expose systemic collusion, Parliament may be forced to consider amendments to the Police Act, tighter oversight mechanisms, and perhaps the establishment of an independent police watchdog.

For now, Pretoria residents and the wider South African public will be watching the Justice College closely on 13 October, hoping that the sick lieutenant general returns to the stand and that the truth finally surfaces.