A 49-year-old man has been arrested at OR Tambo International Airport, moments before he was due to board an international flight, for failing to appear before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

National SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed the arrest in a statement on Friday morning.

“The Commission’s Recommendations Task Team effected the arrest just after half past eight on Thursday evening at the OR Tambo Airport, moments before the 49-year-old man was due to board an international flight,” said Mathe. “He is expected to appear before the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court this morning [Friday].”

The suspect was arrested for failing to appear before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is investigating allegations of criminality, political interference and corruption in South Africa’s criminal justice system.

Media identify suspect as former ANC North West treasurer

While SAPS has not officially named the suspect, multiple media reports have identified him as a North West businessman and former ANC regional treasurer. Police did not confirm these reports, saying only that the man had been required to appear before the commission.

According to reporting by Eyewitness News, the businessman previously testified before the commission in March, where evidence leaders questioned him about millions of rand in transactions involving alleged crime boss Cat Matlala and businessman Hangwani Maumela.

The report said he was questioned about an approximately R10 million investment in Tshwane Medicare24 — the company at the centre of a controversial R360 million SAPS health-services contract — and payments made through companies linked to him. He reportedly told the commission he had invested in Matlala’s company and was trying to recover his funds, denying any wrongdoing.

The matter took a further turn in August, when the man failed to appear before the commission as directed. Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga then instructed the commission secretary to lay criminal charges against him. The commission also questioned his claim that he was too ill to attend, after evidence emerged that he had been seen shopping and at a restaurant, according to the EWN report.

The 49-year-old man is expected to appear before the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 16 October.

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