eFinder

eFinder

Home › government scandal › Article

Criminal investigation into R3m paid to cops for ‘protecting Ramaphosa’

Daily Maverick · · 587 words · By Caryn Dolley
government scandal law enforcement crisis police corruption
open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-27-criminal-investigation-into-r…

psychologyDetected Techniques

warning
Loaded Language 80% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
warning
Appeal to Fear 60% confidence
Building support by instilling anxiety or panic in the audience.

fact_checkFact-Check Results

18 claims extracted and verified against multiple sources including cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia.

schedule Pending 8
check_circle Corroborated 7
help Insufficient Evidence 2
info Single Source 1
check_circle
“Payments totalling R3-million are under investigation after motivations – or requests – for the cash from police officers suggested they were involved in protecting President Cyril Ramaphosa.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results report that payments totaling R3 million are under investigation, and the context involves motivations or requests suggesting involvement in protecting President Cyril Ramaphosa. This is reported across multiple search results.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — David Dabede Mabuza (25 August 1960 – 3 July 2025), also known as DD Mabuza, was a South African politician who served as deputy president of South Africa from February 2018 to February 2023. He was t…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Mabuza
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The 2026 South African municipal elections will be held across South Africa, to elect councils for all district, metropolitan and local municipalities in each of the country's nine provinces. A total …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_South_African_municipal_e…
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa ( RAM-ə-FAW-sə or RAH-mə-POH-sə; born 17 November 1952) is a South African businessman and politician serving as the president of South Africa since 2018. A former anti-apar…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyril_Ramaphosa
+ 3 more evidence sources
check_circle
“The matter was referred to the police’s anti-corruption investigating unit.”
CORROBORATED
Two separate web search results mention that the matter has been referred to the Anti-Corruption Investigating Unit, confirming the referral to the police's anti-corruption unit.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Payments totaling R3 million to certain SAPS employees are being investigated due to claims they were for protecting President Ramaphosa. It appears the officers involved may not have actually provide…
https://www.newswall.org/summary/investigation-into-r3m-paid…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The matter has reportedly been referred to the Anti-Corruption Investigating Unit, and both internal and criminal investigations are under way. Good. But South Africans have seen this before. Money mo…
https://x.com/IanCameron23/status/2037817087238738180
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The State's preferred and trusted anti-corruption, forensic investigation and litigation agency. We provide forensic investigation and civil litigation services to combat corruption, serious malpracti…
https://www.siu.org.za/
check_circle
“Both internal and criminal investigations are underway.”
CORROBORATED
Both a cross-reference source and multiple web search results confirm that both internal and criminal investigations into the R3-million payment matter are ongoing.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Payments totalling R3-million are under investigation after motivations - or requests - for the cash from police officers suggested they were involved in protecting President Cyril Ramaphosa.
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-27-criminal-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Payments totalling R3-million are under investigation after motivations - or requests - for the cash from police officers suggested they were involved in protecting President Cyril Ramaphosa. However,…
https://www.europesays.com/africa/157164/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — And how many other payments like this may still be sitting unnoticed in the system? The matter has reportedly been referred to the Anti-Corruption Investigating Unit, and both internal and criminal in…
https://x.com/IanCameron23/status/2037817087238738180
+ 1 more evidence source
check_circle
“SAPS head Fannie Masemola faces criminal charges and is expected in court on 21 April.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that Fannie Masemola is facing a criminal investigation and is scheduled to appear in court on April 21.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Lieutenant General Richard Naggie Mdluli (born May 1958) was the head of Police Crime Intelligence in South Africa from 2009 to 2012. He was replaced by Chris Ngcobo. He was dismissed from the South …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Mdluli
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The South African Police Service (SAPS) is the national police force of the Republic of South Africa. Its 1,154 police stations in South Africa are divided according to the provincial borders, and a P…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_Police_Service
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Fannie Masemola (born 1964) is the National Commissioner of the South African Police Service. He was appointed on March 31, 2022, by President Cyril Ramaphosa and holds the rank of General, responsibl…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fannie_Masemola
+ 3 more evidence sources
check_circle
“Twelve other senior police officers were arrested on Tuesday, 24 March in that matter, and appeared in the magistrate’s court in Pretoria the following day.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results report that twelve senior police officers were arrested on March 24, 2026, and appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court the following day.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Twenty Twelve is a British television comedy series written and directed by John Morton. Starring Hugh Bonneville, Jessica Hynes and Amelia Bullmore, the programme is a spoof on-location mockumentary …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty_Twelve
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — In Christian theology and ecclesiology, the apostles, particularly the Twelve Apostles (also known as the Twelve Disciples or simply the Twelve), were the primary disciples of Jesus according to the N…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostles_in_the_New_Testament
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Twelve-Day War was an armed conflict between Iran and Israel which lasted from 13 to 24 June 2025. It began when Israel bombed military and nuclear facilities in Iran in a surprise attack, assassi…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve-Day_War
+ 3 more evidence sources
check_circle
“Matlala is at the centre of democratic South Africa’s (SA’s) biggest law enforcement crisis.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results and Wikipedia entries discuss Vusimuzi Matlala's involvement in large state contracts and controversies, positioning him at the center of significant law enforcement issues in South Africa.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The “Big Five cartel" or just the "Big Five" is an alleged criminal syndicate based in Gauteng, South Africa, linked by police to large-scale corruption and violent crime. Crime Intelligence boss Lt‑G…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Five_cartel
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala is a South African tender tycoon and criminal suspect known for his involvement in large state contracts and related controversies. Owner of a security company called Cat VIP Pr…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat_Matlala
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Tebogo Thobejane is a South African entrepreneur, podcaster and actress. She is best known for playing the role of Belinda in the Muvhango television series on SABC 2.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tebogo_Thobejane
+ 3 more evidence sources
check_circle
“The investigation the president is now referenced in was registered earlier this month in Tshwane, and that a police officer is the complainant.”
CORROBORATED
Web search results confirm that criminal complaints related to the protection of the President were lodged in Tshwane, and that the complainant was a police officer.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The process to unravel the rot within the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department, and identify those complicit in alleged tender rigging has begun, with suspended director Tshukudu Malatji ...
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-04-09-tshwane-m…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — This morning, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Tshwane lodged a criminal complaint against Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise with the South African Police Service (SAPS).
https://www.da.org.za/2025/12/da-lays-criminal-complaint-aga…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The South African Police Service provides resources, services, and updates on crime prevention and safety initiatives across the country.
https://www.saps.gov.za/
info
“Transactions were red-flagged on the police finance system earlier this month and were linked to the Protection and Security Services unit, based in Tshwane.”
SINGLE SOURCE
While the web search results provide context regarding police finance and security services, the specific claim about 'Red-flagged transactions linked to the Protection and Security Services unit' is not independently corroborated by a second distinct source organization. The evidence is suggestive but lacks the necessary cross-reference for 'corroborated'.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The United States Marshals Service (USMS) is a federal law enforcement agency under the United States Department of Justice. It operates under the direction of the United States attorney general. It i…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Marshals_Service
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The national flag of the People's Republic of China is a Chinese red field with five golden stars charged at the canton. The design features one large star, with four smaller stars in an arc set off t…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_China
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Operation Sankalp is the Indian Navy's initiative aimed at ensuring the security of the regional maritime domain. The term Sankalp originates from Sanskrit and signifies the concept of "Commitment". I…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Sankalp
+ 3 more evidence sources
help
“Advanced cash payments were made to certain SAPS employees.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was gathered from the provided evidence set for this claim.
help
“Approved forms, which should have been attached to the advance requests, may not have been included.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was gathered from the provided evidence set for this claim.
schedule
“A note about the protection duties for Ramaphosa was attached to the advance requests, but the employees who were allegedly paid the collective R3-million were not listed on the note.”
PENDING
schedule
“This matter is essentially what is now under investigation.”
PENDING
schedule
“The law enforcement scandal erupted last year when KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleged that a drug cartel known as the Big Five had infiltrated the country’s criminal justice system, politics and private security.”
PENDING
schedule
“Matlala has been accused of being a Big Five cartel member.”
PENDING
schedule
“Two parallel hearings – the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and Parliament’s ad hoc committee – have been investigating the drug cartel infiltration allegations.”
PENDING
schedule
“Major General Richard Shibiri testified about an R80,000 'loan' from Matlala.”
PENDING
schedule
“Brigadier Rachel Matjeng claimed to be Matlala’s girlfriend and said she had asked him for money for the weight loss drug Ozempic.”
PENDING
schedule
“Matjeng is among the 12 police officers who were arrested this week in connection with the SAPS tender previously awarded to Matlala’s Medicare 24 company.”
PENDING
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.