Central News | Lerato Mpembe |20 April 2026 | Picture: Central News Special Edition | Issue 122

Families of the late whistle-blowers Jimmy Mohlala and Sammy Mphatlanyane have welcomed the explosive allegations made by suspended Mpumalanga Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Daphney Manamela, saying her claims could finally bring long-awaited truth and justice to cases that have haunted them for years.

Manamela, who was suspended in 2023, used a media briefing on Sunday to accuse National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola and others of protecting corrupt officers and deliberately blocking investigations.

She specifically linked her suspension to attempts to reopen the 2009 murder of Jimmy Mohlala and fraud related to the Mbombela Stadium construction.

She also mentioned the killing of Sammy Mphatlanyane, another whistle-blower who exposed corruption in the same municipality.

Families Finally Feel Heard

The Mohlala and Mphatlanyane families described Manamela’s statements as a breakthrough. For more than 15 years, they have fought for answers and accountability while watching investigations stall or disappear.

Jimmy Mohlala, the former speaker of Mbombela Local Municipality, was gunned down in 2009 after exposing massive tender irregularities in the construction of the Mbombela Stadium for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Sammy Mphatlanyane was killed in 2010 while also blowing the whistle on corruption in the same municipality.

A family member of Jimmy Mohlala said they were “cautiously hopeful” that Manamela’s claims would force authorities to reopen the dockets and bring those responsible to justice.

“We have waited so long for someone in a high position to speak out,” the family said. “If what she says is true, it means our loved ones were silenced because they dared to tell the truth about stolen public money.”

The Mphatlanyane family echoed these sentiments, stating that Manamela’s allegations confirmed what they had suspected for years — that powerful people within the police and political structures worked to protect those involved in the murders and the tender fraud.

Manamela’s Explosive Allegations

During her briefing, Lieutenant-General Manamela claimed she was suspended because she was pushing to reopen the Mohlala and Mphatlanyane murder cases as well as related fraud investigations.

She accused National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola and retired Major-General Botsotso Moukangwe of receiving a R5 million bribe from businessman Bobby Motaung to block her return to office and keep sensitive dockets closed.

She further alleged that former Police Minister Bheki Cele interfered in investigations and tried to centralise control over politically sensitive cases.

Manamela described a pattern where provincial task teams were disbanded and files were moved to national level after her suspension, suggesting a deliberate effort to protect powerful interests.

She did not mince her words, stating, “I was removed to protect corrupt cops,” and warned that the “deep-rooted rot” in the police service needed to be exposed.

The Long Struggle for Justice

The murders of Jimmy Mohlala and Sammy Mphatlanyane became symbols of the dangers faced by whistle-blowers in South Africa. Both men exposed large-scale tender fraud linked to the Mbombela Stadium project.

Despite arrests and some convictions over the years, many families and activists believe the masterminds behind the killings and the corruption have never been fully held accountable.

The cases have dragged on for more than a decade, with repeated claims of political interference, lost dockets and slow investigations.

The families have held numerous protests, met with officials and approached the courts, but they say real justice has remained out of reach.

Manamela’s claims have now given them renewed hope that the truth may finally surface, especially with the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry already examining broader allegations of criminality and corruption within law enforcement.

Reactions and Calls for Investigation

Opposition parties, civil society organisations and anti-corruption groups have welcomed Manamela’s statements and called for an independent, thorough investigation.

They argue that allegations of this magnitude against the country’s top police officer cannot be left to internal police processes alone.

There are also renewed calls for better protection of whistle-blowers and officers who try to fight corruption from within.

Manamela herself stated that she fears for her life, underlining the personal risks faced by those who challenge powerful networks.

The South African Police Service has confirmed it will investigate the claims.

However, many observers believe the matter should also be referred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) or included in the ongoing Madlanga Commission hearings for greater transparency.

What This Means for Accountability in Policing

If Manamela’s allegations are proven, they would point to serious failures at the highest levels of the SAPS.

They would suggest that senior officers have protected corrupt elements and blocked justice in high-profile cases involving public money and the loss of innocent lives.

For ordinary South Africans, especially in Mpumalanga, the claims are deeply troubling.

Many already feel that crime is not being tackled effectively and that some police officers may be more interested in personal gain than public safety.

When the head of the police is accused of shielding corruption, it shakes confidence in the entire criminal justice system.

The families of Jimmy Mohlala and Sammy Mphatlanyane say they will continue to push for the full truth.

They hope Manamela’s revelations will lead to the reopening of the dockets and the arrest of those who ordered or carried out the killings.

Looking Ahead

The coming weeks will be critical. The SAPS has said it will consult with Manamela and review her claims.

Any formal investigation could lead to disciplinary action, further suspensions or criminal charges if evidence supports the allegations.

Manamela remains suspended, and her own legal battles continue. However, her decision to speak out publicly has now placed the spotlight firmly on the highest levels of police leadership.

For the families who have waited more than 15 years for justice, this moment feels like a turning point.

They are cautiously hopeful that the explosive claims will finally force authorities to act and bring closure to cases that have caused them so much pain.

As the story develops, South Africans will be watching to see whether these serious accusations lead to real accountability or simply add to the long list of scandals that continue to damage public trust in the police service.

The families of the late whistle-blowers say they will not rest until the full truth is known and those responsible are held to account.

Their long struggle for justice may be entering a decisive new phase thanks to the bold statements of a suspended police commissioner who claims she was removed for doing her job.

Many hope that this time the system will work and that the voices of those who dared to speak out against corruption will finally be heard.