Madlanga Commission: General Dumisani Khumalo Exposes Politicians Who Faked Assassination Attempts
- Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo testified at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on 29 September 2025
- The Crime Intelligence Head of the police detailed how politicians went to extreme lengths to get more funding
- National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola made similar comments when he testified at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College
Source: Getty Images
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
GAUTENG – Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry how some politicians would go to extreme lengths just to get more finances and perks.
The Crime Intelligence Head of the South African Police Service (SAPS) made the admission during his first day of testimony at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria. Khumalo is the fifth witness to testify before the commission, which was established to probe allegations made by Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Khumalo details how politicians fake assassination attempts
During his testimony about the work of the Political Killings Task Team, Khumalo noted that some politicians faked assassination attempts. Politicians were given more funds for security if their lives were under threat.
The Crime Intelligence Head then explained how one councillor faked an attack on himself by burning his house. Sadly, he was the only one who escaped the blaze, but his wife and children were killed in the fire.
You can watch the statement below.
The individual in question was Michael Buthelezi, a former Democratic Alliance councillor who was found guilty of murdering his partner and three children.
He was also convicted of arson and defeating the ends of justice after he torched the family’s home in Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal, in October 2023. He was sentenced to four life terms and an additional 15 years.
Khumalo’s testimony echoes Fannie Masemola’s statements
Khumalo’s claims echoed those of General Fannie Masemola. The National Police Commissioner testified on 22 September 2025 that councillors took extreme steps to secure bodyguards for their protection.
Masemola said that councillors, who opened cases of intimidation and attempted murder, went as far as to instruct hitmen to shoot them but not kill them. The councillors would then use their injuries as motivation for why they needed extra protection.
Source: Getty Images
What you need to know about the Madlanga Commission
- General Mkhwanazi accused the Presidency of interfering with investigations.
- The KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner claimed that Vusimuzi Matlala’s cars were registered by the State.
- The police’s Head of Legal Services, General Petronella Van Rooyen, said Mchunu didn’t have the power to disband the task team.
- Masemola accused Mchunu and General Shadrack Sibiya of trying to protect criminal syndicates.
- The National Prosecuting Authority’s Elaine Harrison said she was not informed about the disbanding of the Political Killings Task Team.
Khumalo lists five crime cartels operating in the country
Briefly News reported that Khumalo revealed five major cartels were operating in the country.
He also implicated Vusimuzi Matlala and Katiso Molefe as heads of two of the cartels.
South Africans were stunned by Khumalo’s claims, and couldn’t wait to see what else he had to say.
Source: Briefly News
