Johannesburg is buzzing after startling revelations at the Madlanga Commission. Crime Intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo testified that Stuart James Scharnick acts as a personal protector for General Shadrack Sibiya. But here's the kicker: Khumalo claims Scharnick isn't even employed by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Who is Stuart James Scharnick?
This revelation has sparked intense speculation about the nature of Sibiya's security arrangements. eNCA reporter Pule Letshwiti-Jones interviewed Scharnick, alongside Crime Watch presenter Yusuf Abramjee, to get to the bottom of the story. Scharnick vehemently denies being Sibiya's bodyguard, stating he's merely an acquaintance.
Adding fuel to the fire, allegations of police involvement in hitman activities have resurfaced. A former Western Cape top cop commented on the Madlanga Commission's developments, saying claims of police-employed hitmen are not farfetched.
Police Involvement in Political Killings?
According to Khumalo, criminal networks involved in political killings have started recruiting serving SAPS members as hitmen. Former Western Cape detective Jeremy Veary supports this allegation, explaining how officers compromised by organised crime could be coerced into carrying out hits.
Veary referenced the Nafiz Modack trial, where a police captain was allegedly involved in surveilling detective Charl Kinnear before his death. This case highlights the potential for rogue elements within the police force to be exploited by criminal organisations.
The Bigger Picture
These allegations paint a troubling picture of potential corruption and criminal activity within the SAPS. The Madlanga Commission's findings could have significant implications for the future of law enforcement in South Africa. The investigation continues, and more revelations are expected in the coming weeks.