Mike van Wyk's absence from Madlanga Commission highlights security and mining sector friction
via The Namibian7 min read
Mike van Wyk's absence from the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry last week, due to medical unfitness, unexpectedly brought new focus to South Africa's policing crisis, particularly concerning the mining sector and private security. Evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson SC proceeded by reading relevant documents, revealing Van Wyk's past association with mining boss George van der Merwe, former general manager at Optimum Coal Mine. While Van der Merwe was not accused of wrongdoing, his name highlighted friction in the mining sector overlapping with private security. The commission also heard about a video allegedly sent by Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala to Van Wyk, which Chaskalson suggested indicated drug dealings. Matlala, facing criminal charges and accusations of being part of a drug cartel, is central to the commission's investigation into the infiltration of law enforcement. Van Wyk and Matlala were involved in private security, with Van Wyk previously heading Anubis Protection Services. Suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi testified about accepting money from Matlala and Van Wyk communicating on Matlala's behalf, linking to Anubis. A memorandum of understanding suggested Van Wyk sought EMPD privileges for his companies, Medicare 24 and Anubis. Van Wyk's previous business relations with Van der Merwe involved Close Protection Services, which Van Wyk terminated. A video shown at the commission depicted Van Wyk introducing Mkhwanazi to "George," la
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
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Must ReadCrime Intelligence officer Feroz Khan was shot in Houghton, Johannesburg, in what police are investigating as an attempted assassination. The incident occurred on the evening of June 28, 2026, just days before Khan was scheduled to testify before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on July 1. Khan, who was reportedly shot twice in the abdomen and is in critical condition, was expected to address his alleged ties to EFF leader Julius Malema, tobacco executive Mohamed Sayed, and North West businessman Brown Mogotsi. He was also arrested last month in an illicit precious metals case. Acting national police commissioner Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane has deployed multiple police teams, including the Gauteng Hawks, Crime Intelligence, the detective service, and the Political Killings Task Team, to investigate the shooting, vowing to spare no resources. The SAPS stated it is premature to speculate on a motive or link the attack to his upcoming testimony, emphasizing that detectives will follow evidence. The Madlanga Commission is investigating accusations of a drug cartel infiltrating the state, and previous witnesses have faced security concerns, including the murder of Marius van der Merwe, an alias Witness D, in December last year.
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