Madlanga Commission of Inquiry: Fannie Masemola Says Councillors Faked Their Own Hits

• South African Police Service National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola testified during the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry
• He detailed the steps that municipal councillors would take to secure extra security for their own protection
• South Africans were stunned by the revelation and accused councillors of being power-hungry and abusing state resources

With 10 years’ experience, Tebogo Mokwena, Briefly News’ Deputy Head of the Current Affairs desk, South Africa, provided insights into the criminal justice system, crime statistics, commissions of inquiry, and high-profile cases in South Africa at Daily Sun.

TSHWANE, GAUTENG — National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola remarked that councillors took extreme steps to secure bodyguards for their protection. He made the revelation during his testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on 22 September 2025.

Masemola appeared on the fourth day of the commission's public hearings, where he testified about the alleged infiltration of the criminal justice system. Masemola said the Political Killings Task Team uncovered the councillor's methods of obtaining extra security.

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Masemola said that councillors, who have opened cases of intimidation and attempted murder, went as far as instructing hitmen to shoot them but not kill them. The concillors would get seriously injured and then use the incident to get extra protection. However, later investigations would reveal inconsistencies in the incident, and some would confess to fabricating the incident for personal security.

What you need to know about the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry

• Kwazulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said the criminal justice system freed repeat offenders who would then go on to commit more crimes
• Mkhwanazi also accused Member of Parliament and National Coloured Congress president Fadiel Adams of having access to sensitive information
• The Johannesburg Metro Police Department launched an investigation into a police officer whom Mkhwanazi implicated during his testimony
• Mkhwanazi revealed that attempted-murder accused Vusimuzi Matlala's vehicles were allegedly registered as state vehicles in Ekurhuleni
• Masemola testified that suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu's attempt to disband the Political Killings task Team encroached on his role as a commissioner

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South Africans weigh in

Netizens commenting on X shared their views on Masemola's revelations.

Sediko Rakolote said:

"It appears that the modern capturers of the state are no longer monopolies and oligopolies but members of the 26s, 27s, and 28 gangs camouflaged as politicians, businesspeople, and government officials."

Maggs Naidu said:

"He's just saying things without providing evidence."

M'zoo said:

"The commissioner seems like a good guy. The problem is that it looks like he is in the wrong position."

BlacknessG said:

"Commissioner Masemola is handling the questions fairly well."

Masemola's remarks leave outh Africans unsettled

In a related article, Briefly News reported that South Africans were left uneasy after Masemola answered a question during the public hearings. Masemola was asked whether he would obey an illegal order from a minister.

Masemola replied and said it depends, but he eventually said he would.

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"This question is a trap because Masemola kept quiet after the minister disbanded the KZN Political Killings Task Team. He knows it's a trap, nd they'll come back to ask him about it," a netizen said.

Source: Briefly News