‘We Are Doomed as a Nation’: Tearful Officer Exposes SAPS Corruption at Madlanga Commission

‘We Are Doomed as a Nation’: Emotional Testimony Rocks the Madlanga Commission

It was a moment that left the Madlanga Commission room silent, a veteran police investigator, known only as Witness A, broke down mid-testimony, his voice cracking as he pleaded for justice and accountability within South Africa’s police ranks.

“If change does not happen soon, we are doomed as a nation,” he said, holding back tears. “Even in another life, I would still choose to fight these criminals. Someone has to stop them from destroying our country.”

His testimony, emotional, raw, and deeply unsettling, peeled back the curtain on what he described as a “dark web” of corruption within the South African Police Service (SAPS), one that shields powerful criminals while silencing those who try to expose them.

The Case That Sparked a Reckoning

At the heart of Witness A’s revelations is the murder of engineer Armand Swart, who was gunned down in Vereeniging on 17 April 2024. Investigators now believe Swart was killed in a tragic case of mistaken identity, meant for a whistleblower linked to Transnet.

The name Katiso “KT” Molefe, an underworld figure with alleged connections to corrupt officers, surfaced as a central suspect. Witness A described Molefe’s influence as stretching from the criminal underworld into the corridors of police power.

“Even the good cops are losing hope,” he said. “We’re fighting criminals from both sides, on the streets and within our own ranks.”

Inside the Rot: Bribes, Threats, and a System Under Siege

The most damning part of his testimony came when he detailed how senior officers allegedly tried to bribe their way out of accountability.

According to Witness A, General Richard Shibiri of the National Organised Crime Unit suggested that “three envelopes”, one each for a magistrate, prosecutor, and investigating officer, could “make the case go away.”

“I walked out of that meeting feeling baited,” Witness A told the commission. “He wanted to know if we could be bought, or if we’d stay loyal to the law.”

He said obstruction from within SAPS itself has delayed justice in Swart’s murder case, despite clear leads and strong evidence.

A Cry for Integrity in Uniform

At one point, the seasoned officer’s composure broke completely when he recalled the murder of a close colleague, a sergeant gunned down in Soweto for refusing to back down in a high-profile case.

“He was gunned down for doing it all,” Witness A said softly. “I didn’t want to talk about it before… I didn’t want to go there.”

For many watching the commission’s live feed, that moment cut deep. On social media, hashtags like #MadlangaCommission and #CleanUpSAPS began trending, with users expressing admiration for the witness’s bravery and frustration at how deep the rot appears to go.

“Imagine risking your life to protect us, and your biggest threat is your own colleagues,” one X (formerly Twitter) user wrote.

A Glimmer of Hope

Despite the grim picture, Witness A praised KZN Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, calling his July 6 media briefing “the best thing that ever happened to South Africa.”

“He exposed what others were too scared to say, the political interference, the manipulation, the corruption,” he said. “For once, the truth came out in the open.”

Witness A said Mkhwanazi’s stand inspired renewed public confidence in law enforcement and gave hope to families still mourning victims of violent crime.

“It meant a lot to communities,” he added. “It reminded people that there are still good officers out there, even if we’re outnumbered.”

What Comes Next

The commission adjourned after Witness A concluded his remote testimony. Witness B is expected to take the stand next, likely expanding on the systemic issues within SAPS.

For South Africans, the question now is whether this moment, one man’s emotional stand against corruption will lead to real reform, or simply fade into another chapter in the country’s long struggle against institutional decay.

As Witness A put it, his final words lingering in the air:

“I can’t stop fighting. If I die for this, at least I’ll die trying to make this country better.”

{Source: IOL}

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