Retired superintendent, Tactical Response Unit, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department · Johannesburg
Named in evidence · retired
A decorated Johannesburg metro police superintendent, named from the stand by his own department's internal affairs head, who retired in April 2026 at the point at which she was preparing disciplinary charges against him. On Day 173, 15 September 2026, Superintendent Elmarie de Beer told the Madlanga Commission that Manyama, of the JMPD's Tactical Response Unit, used departmental resources for his own benefit and prevented crime patrols from operating in parts of Johannesburg. Per Eyewitness News her description of the mechanism was that TRU members entering particular areas, especially crime hotspots or places where syndicates operate, are telephoned and told: 'What are you doing there? Get out.' EWN's reporter recorded that Manyama was regarded as a celebrated officer in the department and that he allegedly made life extremely difficult for JMPD members who would not follow his instruction to stand down. Per Bulletin, de Beer also described TRU officers pursuing a black Ford Ranger, calling for SAPS and air-wing assistance, and being ordered by Manyama to abandon the pursuit, after which they were confronted and told to return their vehicles and firearms. Per IOL and Daily Maverick, her evidence also included allegations that he arranged TRU escorts for trucks carrying stolen copper in exchange for a share of the proceeds, that he had departmental vehicles and rotating officers guard a friend's liquor business in Lenasia, and that officers who found cocaine during the Ford Ranger pursuit were ordered to stand down and refused. His retirement ended the disciplinary route before charges were served, and per IOL the department later rejected his attempt to return to the force. Nothing here is a finding. Manyama has not given evidence to the commission, has not responded publicly, has been charged with no criminal offence, and is presumed innocent.
This profile summarises testimony and evidence given on the public record before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. It restates allegations as presented at the hearings and is not a finding of guilt, liability, or wrongdoing by any person.
Awaiting appearanceNo portrait on the public record yet
Their role
What the record says
Keeping crime patrols out of particular areas
De Beer's Day 173 evidence, per Eyewitness News, is that Manyama prevented crime patrols from operating in parts of the city: 'There are certain areas where TRU members, as soon as they go into those areas, especially where the crime hotspots or the syndicates operate, as soon as JMPD TRU members enter the parameters of that specific area, they are being phoned and told, What are you doing there? Get out.' The inference the commission is exploring is that the exclusions track where particular criminal operations run. That inference has not been tested and Manyama has not answered it.
Use of departmental resources for personal benefit
De Beer told the commission that Manyama used JMPD resources for his own benefit. The reporting does not specify which resources or over what period. The allegation is untested, no criminal charge has been laid on the public record, and Manyama is presumed innocent.
A pursuit called off, and firearms taken back
Per Bulletin, de Beer's evidence described TRU members pursuing a black Ford Ranger and requesting SAPS and air-wing assistance, and being instructed by Manyama to abandon the pursuit; on her account the officers were then confronted and directed to return their vehicles and firearms. The incident is not dated in the public reporting. It is an untested allegation.
Escorting trucks of stolen copper
Per IOL and Daily Maverick, de Beer's Day 173 evidence was that Manyama arranged for Tactical Response Unit members to escort trucks carrying stolen copper to a criminal syndicate, and that the officers involved were rewarded with a share of the proceeds. The allegation is untested, no criminal charge has been reported, and Manyama is presumed innocent.
A liquor business guarded on a police rotation
Per IOL, de Beer told the commission that Manyama deployed departmental vehicles and rotating officers to guard a friend's liquor business in Lenasia, describing the pattern as: 'They (officers) would be there for two hours; when they leave, others come and park for another two hours.' She also described areas designated as no-go zones for ordinary policing purposes, apparently to protect syndicate activity taking place in them. Untested; Manyama has not answered it.
Ordering officers off cocaine found during a pursuit
Per IOL, de Beer's account of the black Ford Ranger pursuit went further than the instruction to break it off: officers who had found bricks of cocaine were ordered to withdraw, refused, continued and ultimately found more narcotics and arrested a suspect. The allegation is untested and Manyama has not responded to it publicly.
Retired as disciplinary charges were being prepared
Per Eyewitness News, Manyama retired from the JMPD in April 2026, at the point at which de Beer's internal affairs unit was seeking disciplinary charges against him. A retirement ends the employment relationship and with it the disciplinary process; it is not an admission of anything, and it does not prevent a criminal investigation. No criminal charge against him has been reported.
Timeline
How the account unfolded
Apr 2026
Retires from the JMPD
Manyama retires as the internal affairs unit prepares disciplinary charges against him, per de Beer's evidence to the commission.
15 Sep 2026
Named from the stand
Day 173. Superintendent Elmarie de Beer names Manyama to the Madlanga Commission as an implicated TRU officer who used departmental resources for his own benefit and kept crime patrols out of certain areas. Per IOL she also alleges copper-truck escorts, a liquor business guarded on a police rotation in Lenasia, and an instruction to stand down from cocaine found during a pursuit. Untested; he is presumed innocent.
15 Sep 2026
His attempt to return to the JMPD is rejected
Per IOL, the department rejected Manyama's attempt to rejoin the force after his April 2026 retirement. The date of that decision is not reported; it emerged in the coverage of Day 173.