Gauteng Today News has been reliably informed that suspended Gauteng Traffic Police Chief Inspector Samuel Mashaba has died, although details surrounding his death are yet to be released.
Mashaba was placed on precautionary suspension in June 2026 following testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where questions were raised about his conduct as a law enforcement officer.
The Gauteng provincial government said at the time that the suspension followed admissions made during his testimony relating to conduct that could constitute serious breaches of the Public Service Code of Conduct and departmental policies.
The allegations included the alleged misuse of official powers and state resources, as well as concerns about payments received from a member of the public. The suspension was an administrative measure pending a formal disciplinary process and did not constitute a finding of guilt.
Mashaba’s testimony before the commission also drew attention to the handling of a major cocaine seizure linked to a 2021 operation in Aeroton, south of Johannesburg.
This is a developing story.