By Mapaballo Borotho

- A fire alarm triggered the evacuation of the Bridgette Mabandla College in Tshwane on Monday morning, 17 August 2026, where the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry is being held.
- No injuries were reported, and emergency services declared the premises safe after evacuation procedures were followed, while an investigation into the cause of the alarm is underway.
- The incident happened just hours before controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala was expected to appear before the Commission, with security heightened ahead of his testimony.
A fire alarm at the Bridgette Mabandla College in the City of Tshwane triggered an immediate evacuation of the premises on Monday morning, 17 August 2026.
The Bridgette Mabandla College is the premises that houses the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is investigating allegations of corruption and interference within South Africa’s criminal justice system.
The Commission spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, confirmed that no injuries have been reported and that the premises remain safe.
He said emergency procedures were followed “to the T” and the building was declared safe after evacuation protocols were executed.
“We wouldn’t want to speculate as to what happened. Once we know what the cause was, we will let the public know. Investigations are underway, and as soon as we are able to, we will inform you,” Michaels told reporters.
City of Tshwane emergency services responded to the scene, and an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the alarm.
The fire alarm went off a few hours before the appearance of alleged underworld kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who has finally been given a platform to respond to all allegations that have placed him in the middle of a corruption scheme in the country.
Meanwhile, security at the Commission has been heightened ahead of the testimony of Matlala.
“Security around the Commission is always tight. On a day like this, of course, it is heightened. Mr Matlala is a key witness in this inquiry, and all the necessary security measures were put in place last week already,” Michaels said.
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