Durban Refugees Relocated to Gauteng - South African News Briefs - September 15, 2026

• The Madlanga Commission has resumed hearings, specifically investigating allegations of corruption and criminal infiltration within the Johannesburg Metro Police Department.
• The commission, established by President Cyril Ramaphosa, is probing claims of JMPD officers colluding with criminal syndicates as part of its broader mandate to examine the criminal justice system.
• In Durban, 278 refugees and asylum seekers, displaced since May, are being relocated to the Lindela Repatriation Centre in Krugersdorp, Gauteng.
• The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has criticized police for their response to the deaths of five women in the Kempton Park area, demanding a comprehensive investigation.
• EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo stated police only considered a serial killer after a missing runner's case gained public attention, highlighting a perceived state failure to protect women.

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has resumed its critical hearings following a two-week hiatus, with its current focus directed squarely on allegations of corruption within the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD).

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has resumed its critical hearings following a two-week hiatus, with its current focus directed squarely on allegations of corruption within the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD). This phase of the inquiry is set to scrutinize claims that criminal networks have deeply infiltrated the JMPD, and that certain officers within the department have engaged in collusion with these criminal syndicates.

Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels confirmed that Tuesday marked the 173rd day of the ongoing hearings. The investigation is now specifically addressing one of the various law enforcement agencies that fall under its comprehensive terms of reference, signaling a significant development in its proceedings. This targeted examination aims to uncover the extent of alleged malfeasance and identify those responsible for undermining public trust in a key metropolitan policing body.

Established by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Madlanga Commission was mandated to conduct a wide-ranging investigation into alleged political interference, corruption, and the infiltration of the broader criminal justice system by criminal elements. Its overarching goal is to identify systemic vulnerabilities and propose measures to safeguard the integrity of South Africa's legal and enforcement frameworks.

The current focus on the JMPD forms a crucial part of this extensive mandate, as the commission delves into how criminal networks might exploit or compromise law enforcement agencies. The findings from this investigation into the JMPD's alleged corruption and collusion with criminal syndicates are expected to provide vital insights into the challenges facing the criminal justice system and inform future reforms. The commission is expected to file its final report to President Cyril Ramaphosa on 16 November 2026.

In separate developments, refugees and asylum seekers who have been residing in makeshift camps outside Home Affairs offices in Durban since May are now being relocated to Gauteng. This move follows months of encampment, with tensions at the site escalating considerably in recent weeks. These individuals were initially displaced from their homes and businesses in the run-up to anti-illegal immigration protests on June 30.

Home Affairs officials are facilitating the transport of 278 individuals to the Lindela Repatriation Centre located in Krugersdorp. The relocation has been met with a range of emotions among the migrants; while some, including Ghanaian hairdresser Princess Adjei and Congolese refugee Robert Bhabi, expressed hope for new beginnings despite the difficulty of leaving Durban, a segment of the refugee population has opted to remain in the city.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has voiced strong criticism against the police, accusing them of a delayed and inadequate response to the disappearances and deaths of women in the Kempton Park area. This condemnation comes in the wake of the discovery of a fifth woman's body in Olifantsfontein, following the earlier findings of four other deceased women who shared similar profiles.

According to EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo, law enforcement only began to consider the possibility of a serial killer after the disappearance of a missing runner garnered significant public attention. The EFF has called for a comprehensive investigation into these deaths, all previous missing-person reports, and the overall police response to these critical incidents.

Source: Original reporting via EWN and SABC News