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Justice Madlanga Impersonation Scam Sparks Public Warning
A worrying trend that shows how easily trust can be exploited
A new warning from the Commission of Inquiry has put many Joburg residents on edge. Scammers have been pretending to be Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, the chairperson of the Commission, in a growing scheme designed to steal personal information and pressure people into illegal decisions.
It has become one of the latest examples of how digital fraud in South Africa keeps evolving and how even respected public figures can be pulled into the chaos.
An old problem that has suddenly escalated
The Commission revealed that attempts to impersonate Justice Madlanga actually started years ago during his time at the Constitutional Court. Even then, the Office of the Chief Justice had to warn the public because unknown individuals were already misusing his name.
Now that Madlanga leads the Commission of Inquiry, the scam has intensified. Officials say the impersonator, or possibly more than one person, has widened their reach dramatically.
How the scam works
The fraudsters have been contacting private citizens, lawyers, government officials, and public bodies. They use the judge’s name and have even placed his photographs on WhatsApp profiles to look believable.
Some victims received threatening messages. Others were pushed to pay bribes or follow instructions that go against legal procedure.
In certain cases, legal practitioners reported receiving intimidating notes that appeared to come directly from Madlanga, pressuring them to adopt bogus directives.
Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels said these messages are crafted to make the impersonator seem like the real chairperson. The long-term impact could damage Madlanga’s personal reputation and undermine public confidence in the Commission.
Many victims might not realise they were targeted
The Commission believes the known cases are only a small fraction of what has actually taken place. People who have never met Madlanga or do not know what he looks like may not realise they are being misled.
Some may delete the message or comply quietly, not knowing that they should report it. This silence allows the impersonator to keep operating and increases the risk of further damage to the Commission’s work.
A direct threat to the Commission’s credibility
The Commission condemned the impersonations as active interference in its investigations. These fraudulent messages do more than scam individuals. They attempt to influence state bodies and twist legal processes while using the judge’s name as a shield.
The matter has now been reported to law enforcement, and the public has been urged to check any unusual communication claiming to come from Justice Madlanga.
Impersonating a justice is a criminal offence that can lead to a fine or up to six months in prison.
Why this matters for South Africans
This case highlights the reality of living in a world where a WhatsApp message can be convincing enough to cause real harm. In a country where people rely heavily on digital communication, scammers know that a respected name carries power.
For the Commission, protecting that trust is vital. For residents, the warning is simple: be alert, double-check, and never follow instructions from a message that feels out of place.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: EWN
