By Jeremy Michaels
Spokesperson of the judicial commission of inquiry into criminality, political, interference and corruption in the Criminal justice system
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System wishes to warn the public of numerous acts of impersonating the chairperson of the Commission, 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.
As a result, on two occasions, the Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) issued media statements warning the public of these criminal acts.
Since Justice Madlanga started at the Commission, the impersonation has resumed in earnest.
Some communications 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.
To the knowledge of Justice Madlanga, numbers that have been used in the impersonations are 063 204 2566, 072 691 1537, 066 016 8448, 076 565 4480 and 063 160 0082.
Of these numbers, two that have been used recently during the life of the Commission are 076 565 4480 and 063 160 0082.
The purposes of the impersonations differed.
The impersonator or impersonators threatened attorneys involved in litigation if they did not adopt a course proposed by them, sought to force organs of state to act against their own interest, attempted to extort money from individuals, public office bearers or
organs of state, requested to be given money and solicited bribes.
In all the instances that have been brought to Justice Madlanga’s attention, the impersonators used a variety of his photographs as WhatsApp profile pictures.
Justice Madlanga is aware of only those cases of impersonation that have been brought to his attention.
There is a strong probability that many people to whom impersonations have been made, especially those who do not know Justice Madlanga personally, would not have brought the impersonations to his
attention.
So, unbeknown to Justice Madlanga, the impersonators may have contacted many people, potentially tarnishing his image on a large scale.
Members of the public, organs of state, public office bearers and public officials are warned not to fall prey to these impersonators.
The Commission regards these impersonations as interference in its work and has reported the impersonation of Justice Madlanga to the relevant law enforcement agencies.
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