world
South African Corruption Inquiry Interrupted by Police Official's Tissue Incident
An inquiry into alleged corruption in South Africa's criminal justice system was paused when a former police chief got tissue stuck on his forehead. The official had been suspended in November 2025 following an internal audit into misconduct allegations. The event occurred during testimony at the Madlanga Commission on April 14, 2026.
Apr 15, 10:10 AM·2m read1 source
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A public inquiry in South Africa examining alleged corruption, political interference, and criminality within the criminal justice system experienced an interruption on April 14, 2026. The Madlanga Commission, which investigates these issues, paused proceedings when a former deputy police chief attempted to wipe sweat from his forehead using a piece of tissue.
Unbeknownst to him, part of the tissue remained attached to his skin, leading a chairperson to halt the session briefly.
The individual involved, Julius Mkhwanazi, had served as deputy chief of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department. He was placed on suspension in November 2025 based on recommendations from an internal audit. The audit addressed allegations of misconduct within the department, though specific details of those allegations were not detailed in the inquiry's public proceedings.
The Madlanga Commission was established to probe systemic problems in South Africa's law enforcement and judicial frameworks. It focuses on instances of corruption and external influences that may undermine the criminal justice system's integrity. Witnesses, including suspended officials like the former deputy chief, provide testimony to help uncover patterns of wrongdoing.
Suspension The suspension of the former deputy chief stemmed from an internal investigation conducted by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department.
This probe, completed in November 2025, recommended disciplinary action due to identified misconduct. Such internal audits are standard procedures in South African police departments to address potential violations of conduct codes. Ekurhuleni, a metropolitan area in Gauteng province, relies on its police department for local law enforcement.
Allegations of misconduct can involve a range of issues, from procedural lapses to more serious ethical breaches. The inquiry's examination of these matters aims to recommend reforms to prevent future occurrences. The broader context of the Madlanga Commission highlights ongoing challenges in South Africa's post-apartheid justice system.
