Pretoria – Advocates for Transformation (AFT) has raised concerns over what it describes as an escalating pattern of threats and intimidation against advocate Sandile Khumalo, one of the commissioners at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, AFT said Khumalo, its National Chairperson advocate Myron Dewrance SC, as well as members of Dewrance’s family and friends, had received threatening messages from multiple cellphone numbers.
The organisation said it had initially refrained from making the threats public but decided to speak out after they became increasingly aggressive and escalated to include explicit threats of sexual violence.
According to AFT, the messages repeatedly mention Khumalo and Dewrance, refer to the organisation by name and, in some cases, claim knowledge of the locations, workplaces and movements of those being targeted.
AFT said all available evidence had been preserved.
MADLANGA COMMISSION | Security strategist Andy Mashaile says threats against Co-Commissioner Adv Sandile Khumalo could have serious implications for national security. Khumalo is among those facing alleged intimidation linked to his work at the inquiry. #sabcnews404 pic.twitter.com/ONgPQZzs3K
— SABC News (@SABCNews) September 8, 2026
The organisation said its preliminary enquiries suggested that the threats may be linked to disciplinary proceedings involving a member of the Johannesburg Society of Advocates (JSA) who had faced serious professional misconduct charges.
At the time, Khumalo chaired the JSA’s Professional Committee and served on the JSA Bar Council after being nominated by AFT.
AFT said the messages repeatedly blamed Khumalo for events surrounding the disciplinary proceedings and instructed Dewrance and members of his family to “blame Sandile”.
AFT CONDEMNS ESCALATING THREATS AGAINST JUSTICE ACTORS, THEIR FAMILIES AND OTHERS pic.twitter.com/4HFyz3pVLw
— Advocates for Transformation (@aftsouthafrica) September 8, 2026
The organisation said the messages also made repeated references to AFT, its members and leadership.
However, AFT stressed that it was not accusing the advocate who was the subject of the disciplinary proceedings, the JSA or any identified individual of being behind the threats.
“Our preliminary enquiries indicate that the apparent grievance behind the threats may be connected to disciplinary proceedings,” the organisation said.
“It is a matter for further investigation.”
Threats targeting South Africa’s legal fraternity are raising fresh concerns about the safety of those tasked with upholding the Rule of Law. Advocates for Transformation has issued a damning statement condemning what it calls a ‘sustained and escalating campaign of… pic.twitter.com/BW4WaKekIx
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) September 9, 2026
AFT said the threats were part of a broader pattern of intimidation targeting prosecutors, lawyers, investigators and other officials involved in the administration of justice.
The organisation warned that such attacks undermine the rule of law and called for stronger protection for justice officials.
AFT said threats and intimidation needed to be confronted before they escalated into assassinations.
The organisation said it would not allow threats against its leadership, representatives or their families to influence its nominations within the legal profession, its positions or its work.
AFT added that it would pursue all lawful avenues to protect those affected and ensure that those responsible were identified and held accountable.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: Screengrab
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
