Suspended Gauteng Traffic Police chief inspector Samuel Mashaba has died, IOL reported. He had faced tough questions at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry about a large cocaine bust in Aeroton.
The cause of his death and the circumstances around it had not been officially confirmed when IOL published its report.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi sent his condolences to the family. “On behalf of the Gauteng Provincial Government, I wish to convey our deepest condolences to the Mashaba family following the passing of chief inspector Samuel Mashaba,” Lesufi said.
He also extended condolences to Mashaba’s colleagues in the Gauteng Traffic Police and the wider law enforcement community. “May the family find strength, comfort and courage in the support of those around them during this period of grief. Our thoughts and prayers are with them,” Lesufi said.
Mashaba appeared before the commission in June 2026. He testified about a July 2021 operation in which more than 715kg of cocaine was seized at a Scania warehouse in Aeroton, south of Johannesburg.
The drugs had an estimated street value of R300 million. According to evidence at the inquiry, they were moved from Durban Harbour in a truck carrying cargo meant for Scania South Africa.
Mashaba had received a tip about the truck before it reached Johannesburg. He admitted that he did not report the tip directly to the South African Police Service, as procedures require.
He also could not properly explain why his team did not stop the truck at the Heidelberg weighbridge. Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga questioned him about not following the rules for handling drug information.
The inquiry heard claims about how the drugs were handled at the scene. It also looked at the roles of the different officers involved in the operation.
The commission examined Mashaba’s links to businessman Tumelo Nku. Nku testified that he had warned Mashaba about the drug load travelling from Durban to Johannesburg.
Evidence included messages between the two men and questions about money Mashaba got from Nku. Mashaba admitted receiving the money. He called the payments loans or help from a friend.
Commissioner Sesi Baloyi asked whether Mashaba had tried to help release vehicle keys at Nku’s request. The keys may have been held as an exhibit. Mashaba said he saw Nku as a brother and would try to help him with police matters.
After his testimony, the Gauteng provincial government placed Mashaba on precautionary suspension in June 2026. The suspension was pending a formal disciplinary process.
The Office of the Premier said the decision followed admissions he made at the commission. It said these could amount to serious breaches of the Public Service Code of Conduct, department policies and laws for public servants.
The concerns included the alleged misuse of official powers, department resources and state property. They also included accepting payment from a member of the public in a possible conflict of interest.
Mashaba had to hand back government phones, firearms and laptops. He was barred from government buildings and from contact with staff, to avoid any interference with investigations.
The provincial government said at the time that it was treating the allegations seriously. It said any disciplinary process would follow the law.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL. Image: IOL. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice News desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Kgomotso Maake covers news and politics for Tzaneen Voice. Kgomotso reports on government, Parliament, municipalities, courts, crime and service delivery across South Africa, with a close eye on how national decisions reach towns like Tzaneen and the wider Limpopo province. Stories are written in plain English and focus on the facts: who made the decision, what it means, and what happens next.