By Mapaballo Borotho

- An alleged ally of suspended Deputy Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has been arrested at the Madlanga Commission for alleged intimidation.
- Stuart Sharnick allegedly confronted Sowetan journalist Herman Moloi after Moloi photographed him with suspended MP Fadiel Adams.
- The incident comes as explosive testimony about the alleged “Big Five cartel” continues to dominate proceedings at the commission.
The Political Killings Task Team has arrested an alleged ally of suspended Deputy Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya at the Madlanga Commission.
Stuart Sharnick was arrested on Thursday, 20 August 2026, for intimidation. He allegedly verbally assaulted Sowetan journalist Herman Moloi.
He allegedly verbally assaulted the journalist after Moloi took pictures of him standing with suspended Member of Parliament Fadiel Adams, who has been giving his testimony at the Madlanga Commission for two days.
During the exchange, Sharnick allegedly told Moloi that they could take it outside, if necessary.
The alleged intimidation continued during the lunch break, when Sharnick again approached Moloi as he stood with colleagues.
When Moloi declined to engage with him, Sharnick allegedly told him not to be scared, saying he was not part of the “Big Five cartel”.
BREAKING: police have just arrested Stuart Sharnick after @Moloi_Herman1 opened a case of intimidation. #KayaNews #MadlangaCommission TT https://t.co/7SS9mHvsm0 pic.twitter.com/iPiCi3U6yv
— Kaya News (@KayaNews) August 20, 2026
The Big Five cartel
The Big Five cartel has dominated public conversation following explosive testimonies by several witnesses at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is investigating allegations of corruption in the criminal justice system.
The group is believed to have infiltrated politics and the criminal justice system, allegedly running widespread criminal operations across Gauteng. These activities reportedly include drug trafficking, tender fraud, contract killings and human trafficking.
Although the full list of the alleged members remains unclear, several names have consistently emerged during the inquiry.
Importantly, the existence of the “Big Five cartel” remains unconfirmed.
During his testimony at the Madlanga Commission, corruption-accused police officer Fanie Nkosi said he was unaware of the “Big Five cartel” but instead knew of a “Group of Five”, described as business partners with shared interests in mining and other sectors.
The syndicate is believed to include high-level fixers, politicians and senior police officers, although these individuals have not been publicly identified.
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