🇿🇦South AfricaSouthern Africa
Gardee family demands suspended police commissioner Manamela testify under oath before Madlanga Commission
via The Citizen1 min read
Lawyers for the family of Hillary Gardee, daughter of EFF deputy president Godrich Gardee, have requested that suspended Mpumalanga police commissioner Daphney Manamela appear before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry to testify under oath. This demand follows Manamela’s recent media briefing where she accused colleagues and national police commissioner Fannie Masemola of overseeing a compromised policing system. Manamela alleged that politicians and business figures manipulate investigations, illegally move dockets, and bribe officers. She also claimed police in Mpumalanga interfere in probes related to political killings, illegal mining, extortion, and human trafficking. The Gardee family believes Manamela's testimony could reveal why the investigation into Hillary’s murder stalled and whether powerful individuals protected suspects. Godrich Gardee stated in a letter to the Commission’s secretary that these allegations confirm long-held suspicions of interference and obstruction, impacting both the criminal process and pending civil litigation concerning state liability, negligence, and misconduct of officials. The family, who are plaintiffs in civil proceedings, emphasized their direct interest and called for urgent action. Hillary Gardee disappeared on April 29, 2022, and her body was found on May 3. Three suspects were arrested, but one, Rassie Nkune, remained at large. Manamela alleged that District Commissioner Dorah Xaba assisted Nkune in evading police. Charges again
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Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, an alleged criminal kingpin and tenderpreneur, will remain detained at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre following his appearance before the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on April 20, 2026. The matter was postponed to May 13, 2026, to allow for consultations and for Matlala to instruct his attorney. The court granted the state’s request for his continued detention at Kgosi Mampuru. Matlala’s legal team is preparing a high court application to seek his permanent transfer to Embongweni Correctional Facility in Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal. When he returns to court, Matlala will be joined by 15 co-accused facing charges of corruption, fraud, and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act. These charges stem from the alleged irregular awarding of a R360 million contract to Medicare 24, a company owned by Matlala. He is accused of bribing top police officers, including generals, to secure the contract, which was awarded in 2024. The contract has been a focus of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and a parliamentary inquiry into crime networks within the South African Police Service and the country’s criminal justice system. Last November, Matlala explained how his company, Medicare24 Tshwane District, was awarded the Saps health services contract. Although the contract was advertised for R360 million, R600 million was available in the Saps budget. Saps chief financial officer, Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane, informed Parliament’s ad hoc committee that