The Thami Ndlala FoundaƟon has noted the developments following its previous statement and, in
parƟcular, the urgent court proceedings arising from the publicaƟon of allegaƟons against Mr Thami
Ndlala by Ms Mbombo.

The FoundaƟon remains of the view that serious allegaƟons must be dealt with through evidence and
proper legal processes, rather than through public pressure, social media narraƟves or the influence of
individuals connected to the parƟes.

Of parƟcular concern is informaƟon that has come to the FoundaƟon’s aƩenƟon regarding the conduct
of certain members of the South African Police Service at Midrand Police StaƟon when dealing with
CAS 391/08/26. There are serious concerns regarding whether certain officials have acted in
accordance with proper policing procedures, whether appropriate invesƟgaƟons were conducted
before coercive acƟon was taken, and whether personal relaƟonships and outside influence have
improperly affected the manner in which this maƩer has been handled.

The FoundaƟon is parƟcularly concerned by informaƟon suggesƟng that persons connected to Ms
Mbombo and Mr Tebogo Nokwane may have had access to, or influence over, police officials dealing
with the maƩer. These concerns extend to the reported involvement of senior provincial police officials,
including AcƟng Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Fred Kekana, who is understood to have an
associaƟon with Mr Nokwane and his associates

The FoundaƟon is not making a finding of criminal misconduct against any police official. However, the
circumstances are sufficiently serious to warrant an independent invesƟgaƟon into whether improper
influence, preferenƟal treatment, conflicts of interest or any other form of inappropriate interference
has occurred. If there is nothing improper, then an independent invesƟgaƟon will establish that. If there
is, the public deserves to know

What is parƟcularly disturbing is the apparent approach of “ARREST first, invesƟgate LATER””. The
FoundaƟon is concerned that proper invesƟgaƟve procedures were not followed before acƟon was
taken against Mr Ndlala, and that allegaƟons appear to have been elevated into police acƟon without
the level of objecƟve invesƟgaƟon that such serious allegaƟons demand. Had proper procedure been
followed Mr Ndlala would have been exonerated at the invesƟgaƟon level. This is not merely a maƩer
concerning Mr Ndlala. South Africa is experiencing an extremely serious gender-based violence crisis.
Police resources, invesƟgaƟve capacity and the aƩenƟon of senior law-enforcement officials are
desperately needed by vicƟms who genuinely require protecƟon from violence and abuse. Those
resources cannot be diverted or compromised by personal disputes, private agendas or individuals
aƩempƟng to use children, or law-enforcement structures to advance maƩers that should properly be
determined by evidence and due process.

The FoundaƟon is equally concerned about the irresponsible use of the public domain to make serious
allegaƟons against individuals without proper consideraƟon of the consequences. A person’s name,
livelihood, family and reputaƟon can be destroyed within hours by allegaƟons circulated through social
media and other plaƞorms. Once published, such allegaƟons cannot simply be withdrawn as though no
harm was done. Those who choose to make or republish serious allegaƟons must therefore understand
that freedom to speak carries responsibility, parƟcularly where allegaƟons concern criminal conduct,
violence or threats against children.

The FoundaƟon accordingly calls upon all persons involved — including Ms Mbombo, Mr Nokwane, the
relevant SAPS officials and those assisƟng or influencing this maƩer — to desist from such acƟons. The
FoundaƟon will not be inƟmidated into silence, nor will it parƟcipate in a trial by media. Mr Ndlala is
enƟtled to the same protecƟon of the law, dignity and presumpƟon of innocence as any other person.

The FoundaƟon further calls for an independent examinaƟon of the conduct of the police officials
involved, including the circumstances surrounding the involvement of senior provincial police officials,
so that any quesƟons regarding improper influence or preferenƟal treatment can be conclusively
answered.

The FoundaƟon’s posiƟon remains simple: invesƟgate properly, follow the law, test the evidence and let
the facts determine the outcome.

Issued by: Thami Ndlala FoundaƟon

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