Independent Police Investigative Directorate

04/09/2026

Mpumalanga Police Officer stationed at Mankweng SAPS was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment for two counts of assault and a further 10 months imprisonment or a fine of R8000 for pointing of a fi***rm.

Sergeant Mpota Silas Malatjie (41) was sentenced for three different cases that involved three different female complainants by Mankweng Magistrate’s Court.

On 6 July 2022, Sergeant Malatjie assaulted his girlfriend, Onica Maepa (45), at his place of residence during an arguement about money she borrowed to him. Sergeant Malatjie pointed his service fi***rm at her, and threatened to kill her. She reported the incident to the police.

On 10 July 2022, Sergeant Malatjie and his girlfriend, Salamina Malemela (34), had an argument about going back to the tavern, and he assaulted her by grabbing her neck, and kicking her while she was on the ground.

On 19 January 2025, Mamaifo Mamabolo (37), found Sergeant Malatjie, who is her former boyfriend, at her place of residence lying on her bed. She wanted to know why Sergeant Malatjie was in her house when they were no longer together. Sergeant Malatjie assaulted her and left.

Sergeant Malatjie was further declared unfit to possess a fi***rm.

31/08/2026

27/08/2026

IPID has arrested two of the three suspects implicated in a case known as the “blue lights saga”.

The two suspects, an EMPD official and a private citizen, face charges of fraud and corruption. They will make their first appearance in the Germiston Magistrate's Court tomorrow, 28 August 2026.

The third suspect, who is an EMPD official, will be arrested later tonight.

26/08/2026

Mpumalanga Police Officer stationed at Middleburg Visible Policing Unit was sentenced to five months imprisonment or a fine of R2000 for common assault by the Graskop Magistrate’s Court. Sergeant Necodemus Kgobe (50) was sentenced for assaulting Taetso Mohlala (29), on 20 March 2025.

The police stopped Mohlala who was driving a car with passengers at a roadblock, and instructed them to get out of the car. The passengers were searched first, and then the police searched Mohlala, but during the search, an altercation ensued between Sergeant Kgobe and Mohlala. Sergeant Kgobe slapped Mohlala with an open hand in the face.

Mohlala opened a case of assault that was investigated by IPID. The docket was referred to the NPA after the investigation and Sergeant Kgobe was charged for assault.

He was found guilty and sentenced to five months imprisonment or a fine of R2000. The sentence was wholly suspended for three years on condition that he is not found guilty of a similar offence during the period of suspension.

25/08/2026

The case against four suspects implicated in the alleged theft of precious stones has been postponed to 18 September 2026 for disclosure of the docket at the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court.

The four suspects, Julius Mkhwanazi, Kgomotso Makhubu, Kersha Stoltz and Adrian McKenzie, were arrested in July 2026.

It is alleged that the suspects raided a property in Killarney, Johannesburg, in 2023 without a warrant and seized precious stones valued at approximately R15 million.

The suspects were granted bail of R5,000 each in July 2026.

However, Mkhwanazi, Stoltz and McKenzie are in custody for their alleged involvement in the murder of Emmanuel Mbense. The case was postponed to 27 August 2026 for continuation of the bail application in the Brakpan Magistrate's Court.

21/08/2026

IPID and SAPS came together to explore collaborative approaches that can assist the the two institutions to address police misconduct. The meeting was held at IPID offices earlier today.

20/08/2026

The bail application of the six co-accused allegedly involved in the murder of Emmanuel Mbense will continue in the Brakpan Magistrate's Court today.

Suspended EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi, EMPD officer Keisha-Leigh Stols, suspended EMPD officer Adrian Mackenzie, suspended SAPS officers Bhekokwakhe Sibande and Juan Maree Eksteen as well as businessman Cobus van Rensburg, are facing charges of murder, robbeey with aggravating circumstances and defeating the ends of justice.

Mbense was allegedly abducted on 14 April 2022 and tortured during an interrogation before being killed. His body was allegedly dumped in Spaarwater Dam in Duduza, near Nigel.

The state is opposing the release of the accused on bail.