Mapaballo Borotho
- The Madlanga Commission has warned the public about multiple individuals impersonating Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga on WhatsApp.
- Impersonators have targeted private individuals, government officials, lawyers, and public office bearers, often attempting extortion or soliciting bribes.
- The Commission says more cases may exist that have not been reported, and warns that interfering with its work is punishable by a fine or up to six months’ imprisonment.
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, commonly known as the Madlanga Commission, has warned the public of individuals impersonating its chairperson, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga.
“The Commission also wishes to warn that persons found guilty of attempting to interfere with the work of the chairperson or commissioners are liable to a fine or imprisonment for up to six months. The impersonation started when Justice Madlanga was still on the Constitutional Court bench,” said Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels.
Michaels says some conversations are calculated to give the impression that the impersonator is the chairperson of the Commission.
“These communications have the potential to tarnish the chairperson’s standing both in his personal capacity and in his capacity as chairperson of the Commission.
The impersonations of which Justice Madlanga is aware have been directed at private individuals, members of the executive, members of the national legislature, attorneys, advocates, national and local government officials, and police,” Michaels added
Several numbers that have been used in the impersonations include 063 204 2566, 072 691 1537, 066 016 8448, 076 565 4480, and 063 160 0082.
The purposes of these impersonations varied.
The impersonator or impersonators threatened attorneys involved in litigation, attempted to force organs of state to act against their own interests, tried to extort money from individuals, public office bearers, or organs of state, and solicited bribes.
In all instances brought to Justice Madlanga’s attention, the impersonators used various photographs of him as WhatsApp profile pictures.
“Justice Madlanga is aware only of the cases that have been reported to him. There is a strong probability that many other people, especially those who do not know him personally, may not have reported the impersonations.”
