Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC, one of the commissioners serving on the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, has allegedly been subjected to a sustained campaign of threats and intimidation, according to Advocates for Transformation (AFT).
Also see: Feroz Khan dismissed from SAPS as Madlanga Inquiry and criminal case continue
Sandile Khumalo receives alleged threats
AFT, which represents a broad grouping within South Africa’s legal profession, said earlier on 8 September 2026 that it was concerned about what it described as an increasingly serious pattern of threats directed at Khumalo and the organisation’s national chairperson, Advocate Myron Dewrance SC.
In a statement posted on Instagram, the organisation said there had been a “sustained and escalating” pattern of threats and intimidation.
According to AFT, the threats have become progressively more aggressive and have allegedly extended beyond the two advocates to members of their families and other people associated with them.
The organisation said the intimidation had, for the first time, escalated to explicit threats of sexual violence against women.
AFT further alleges that the messages were sent from several different telephone numbers. The senders allegedly claimed to have knowledge of the targets’ locations, workplaces and movements.
News24 reports that the AFT has made an important distinction: there is currently no indication that the threats are connected to Khumalo’s role as a commissioner on the Madlanga Commission.
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Sandile Khumalo’s role on the Madlanga Commission
Khumalo is one of three commissioners serving under retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga.
The commission was established to investigate allegations of criminality, corruption and political interference within South Africa’s criminal justice system, including claims of criminal syndicates infiltrating law-enforcement and related institutions.
The Presidency’s terms of reference explicitly include allegations of the intimidation, victimisation, or targeted removal of whistleblowers and officials resisting criminal influence.
Also see: Ramaphosa extends Madlanga commission deadline
Threats on whistleblowers
According to EWN, witnesses and people connected to the inquiry have raised concerns about their safety before, illustrating the potentially dangerous environment surrounding some of the evidence being heard.
An example of one of these threats came around March, when the commission heard about threats allegedly directed at businessman and ANC member Suliman Carrim, with his legal representative reading out a threatening message that was allegedly sent to him before his testimony.
Wider concerns for justice officials
The Citizen says the allegations concerning Khumalo come against the backdrop of increasing concern about the safety of people involved in exposing alleged corruption and criminality within South Africa’s law-enforcement system.
The commission had heard evidence of threats against investigators and witnesses.
These cases have reinforced concerns about whether investigators, witnesses, advocates and other justice-sector officials can carry out their duties without intimidation.
AFT has called for stronger protection of people working within the justice system, saying “it had initially refrained from publicising the alleged threats but believed the escalation now warranted public attention.”
Currently, the allegations against those responsible for the messages remain untested, and no established connection has been made between the reported intimidation and Khumalo’s work on the Madlanga Commission. However, the allegations nonetheless raise fresh questions about the security of legal practitioners and justice officials involved in the matter.
Also see: Fadiel Adams to face further questions at Madlanga Commission
Featured image: X/@karynmaughan
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