Sergeant Fannie Nkosi, who had been suspended from the South African Police Service (SAPS) after testifying at the Madlanga commission, has formally resigned from the service, SAPS confirmed on 24 October 2026. Nkosi remains in custody as criminal proceedings and a review application unfold.
Resignation followed months-long detention
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed to The Citizen that the SAPS received Nkosi’s resignation, submitted on 23 October 2026. Nkosi has been detained since his arrest on 2 April 2026, following a police raid on his home in Pretoria North.
During that search, investigators recovered a number of items that prompted criminal charges against him, among them:
- firearms — a R5 rifle, a revolver and a 9mm firearm;
- ammunition and a stun grenade;
- official SAPS dockets;
- R52,700 in cash found hidden beneath a mattress.
Nkosi was attached to the Gauteng organised crime unit and had been suspended earlier this year after giving testimony at the Madlanga commission, during which he discussed alleged links between senior police officials and suspected underworld figures.
Charges, court steps and outstanding NPA representations
Nkosi faces a broad array of charges, drawn from the Pretoria North raid and a separate matter in Venda, Limpopo. The allegations include unlawful possession of explosives, multiple counts relating to a failure to safeguard firearms and ammunition, defeating the administration of justice, theft, money laundering, and further counts of fraud, theft and evidence tampering in relation to a Thohoyandou case.
In the Limpopo matter, prosecutors allege that after a November 2022 drug bust in Thohoyandou, Nkosi posed as a colonel purportedly from SAPS head office to obtain an original case docket. It is alleged that the docket was later returned and that evidence bags containing dagga had been tampered with; the exhibits were subsequently recorded at SAPS head office.
Nkosi was denied bail on 22 April 2026, and his application for leave to appeal that refusal was dismissed by the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, on 22 June 2026.
His legal team has sought a review of the decision to prosecute and submitted representations to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). The outcome of those representations was expected by 15 October but remained outstanding, prompting the court to postpone the matter to 5 November 2026. As the state prosecutor told the court:
“The matter is on the roll for the outcome of representations. The defence needs representations to the Director of Public Prosecutions.”
Implications for SAPS and ongoing investigations
The resignation removes Nkosi from the payroll and from any internal disciplinary process that might have followed his suspension, but it does not affect the criminal prosecutions against him. Prosecutors must still decide whether to proceed with charges pending the NPA’s consideration of representations from the defence.
The allegations carry potential consequences beyond this single case. Nkosi’s earlier testimony at the Madlanga commission, which raised questions about links between police officials and underworld figures, had already placed scrutiny on aspects of SAPS conduct and on oversight of organised-crime investigations in Gauteng.
At this stage, Nkosi remains an accused in multiple matters; none of the allegations have been proven in a court of law. The next scheduled court appearance is the hearing on the outcome of the NPA representations on 5 November 2026.
| Key date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2 April 2026 | Arrest and Pretoria North raid |
| 22 April 2026 | Bail denied |
| 22 June 2026 | Leave to appeal dismissal by Gauteng High Court |
| 23 October 2026 | Resignation submitted to SAPS |
| 5 November 2026 | Postponed hearing for outcome of NPA representations |
What remains to be resolved:
- The NPA’s decision on the representations asking it to reconsider prosecution;
- Whether the outstanding criminal charges will be pursued to trial;
- Any further disciplinary or investigative steps stemming from Nkosi’s testimony at the Madlanga commission and from the items seized in the raids.
The facts above are drawn from reporting by The Citizen and further published accounts of the cases against Nkosi. He remains in custody and is an accused in active prosecutions; these allegations are subject to adjudication in the courts.
