Capture of political elite subverting the rule of law

THE Madlanga Commission is increasingly uncovering the intricate intersections between organised crime, commercial interests, political violence, and interference in governance.

- DR RENEVA FOURIE

Testimony by the head of Crime Intelligence, Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo, has brought particular attention to a prominent cartel identified as the Big 5. In his evidence, Khumalo characterised organised crime as a growing and serious threat to South Africa's national security and economic stability. He emphasised that the cartel’s reach extends across local and international spheres, forming an extensive web that has penetrated political structures.

Khumalo described the group's principal commodity as the international trafficking of illicit drugs, accompanied by practices that include contracted killings, cross-border vehicle hijackings, kidnappings, tender manipulation, and extortion. He guided the commission through the history of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).

He explained the nature of organised crime to provide context for the eventual disbandment of the PKTT. His testimony underscored the operational sophistication of such networks and their ability to couple lucrative criminal economies with violence, enabling them to exert influence over public life.

The evidence presented included WhatsApp messages retrieved from the mobile devices of Matlala, a central figure in the alleged cartel. These exchanges, involving members of the police, business leaders, and political figures, reportedly illustrate how information and influence were acquired through direct payment.

This insight reveals not only the methods of the syndicate but also the vulnerability of state institutions when access, protection, and decision-making can be commodified. The convergence undermines the constitutional order, compromises public security, and erodes the legitimacy of governance.