South Africa is facing mounting concerns over the expansion of organised crime, with a year-long public inquiry uncovering allegations of criminal networks operating within parts of the country’s law-enforcement and political systems. The investigation, led by retired judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga, has brought renewed attention to the growing influence of criminal syndicates over the state, formal businesses and public services.
The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which completed its first year of hearings on September 17, has heard allegations involving police officials, politicians and suspected criminal figures. The proceedings have included claims of corruption, interference in investigations and alleged links between organised crime groups and senior members of the criminal justice system. Several senior officials have left their positions amid the revelations emerging from the inquiry.
Organised crime has increasingly become a major concern for South African businesses and the wider economy. The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime has ranked South Africa among the countries with the highest levels of organised criminal activity. Mark Shaw, the organisation’s director, told the Madlanga Commission that South Africa is in the top five per cent of countries globally when measured for criminal markets and criminal actors.
The country has traditionally struggled with trafficking involving drugs, people, wildlife and other illicit commodities. However, authorities and experts are now increasingly concerned about the expansion of illegal economic activity, extortion networks and the alleged infiltration of law-enforcement agencies.
According to figures cited in the report, the illicit economy has grown substantially over the past two decades. Edward Kieswetter, who headed South Africa’s tax authority until April, estimated that illegal business activity could account for between 12% and 15% of the country’s gross domestic product this year, compared with about 5% two decades ago. Illegal cigarette and alcohol sales, illicit mining and tax evasion are among the activities contributing to the expanding underground economy.
Extortion has also emerged as a growing problem. Construction companies have faced demands for payments from criminal groups seeking a share of infrastructure contracts. The phenomenon, initially associated with KwaZulu-Natal, has expanded to other parts of the country. In some areas, criminal networks have also targeted businesses providing transport and public services.
Kidnapping for ransom has increased sharply over the past decade, while companies have been forced to increase spending on private security. The consequences are particularly severe for poorer communities, where criminal groups have allegedly demanded protection payments from residents and public servants. In some areas, so-called water mafias have been accused of disrupting municipal water supplies and attempting to control contracts for tanker services.
The alleged penetration of organised crime into state institutions has emerged as one of the most serious issues before the Madlanga Commission. The inquiry was established after KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made allegations concerning possible links between police officials, politicians and criminal networks. His claims triggered a broader investigation into the functioning of the country’s criminal justice system.
The inquiry has also raised concerns about the ability of South Africa’s institutions to investigate and prosecute financial and organised crime. The country’s law-enforcement capacity is being closely watched as South Africa undergoes a new evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force. Officials have warned that weaknesses in investigations and prosecutions could create difficulties during the assessment.
Experts have pointed to institutional reforms as a key part of addressing the problem. Shaw has cited Italy’s efforts against organised crime as an example of how independent prosecutors, coordinated investigations and stronger systems for monitoring cases can help prevent criminal infiltration. He has also argued that South Africa needs stronger legal provisions to deal with unexplained wealth linked to public officials.
Meanwhile, businesses and communities have increasingly turned to private security and other measures to protect themselves. Private-security personnel now significantly outnumber police officers in the country, reflecting the growing demand for protection.
The Madlanga Commission is expected to make recommendations on reforms to the criminal justice system. Its findings could therefore have implications not only for policing but also for South Africa’s governance, economy and democratic institutions. The government’s response to the commission’s recommendations will be closely watched as authorities attempt to address allegations of criminal infiltration while restoring public confidence in the rule of law.
