The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has been rocked by the arrest of businessman Stuart James Scharnick after a Sowetan journalist opened an intimidation case against him following an alleged confrontation inside the commission’s auditorium.
Scharnick was arrested by police on Thursday after allegedly confronting Sowetan journalist Herman Moloi, who had photographed him interacting with suspended National Coloured Congress MP Fadiel Adams during a tea break at the inquiry.
It is alleged that Moloi was filming Scharnick and Adams when Scharnick confronted the journalist over the recording.
Scharnick allegedly threatened to have Moloi beaten.
Moloi subsequently opened an intimidation case with police at the commission venue.
The arrest took place outside the Madlanga Commission, where Scharnick has been attending proceedings alongside Adams.
The incident has triggered a strong response from Sowetan, with editor Sibongakonke Shoba condemning what he described as unacceptable conduct against the newspaper’s reporter.
“Threats against journalists are a threat against democracy,” Shoba said adding that a complaint had also been lodged with the commission and a criminal case opened with police.
The incident is particularly significant because of the setting in which it occurred.
The Madlanga Commission is investigating allegations of criminality, political interference and corruption within South Africa’s criminal justice system.
Its proceedings have repeatedly placed relationships between politicians, businesspeople and senior police officials under intense scrutiny.
Scharnick himself has previously featured prominently in the controversy surrounding the inquiry.
He has been described in media reports as an associate of suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya and has previously faced scrutiny over allegations concerning his criminal history and alleged links to organised crime.
Sibiya previously testified that he did not know about Scharnick’s alleged run-ins with the law.
Scharnick has also filed legal action against SAPS Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo, accusing him of defamation.
His presence at the commission alongside Adams has therefore attracted attention, particularly as Adams continues to give evidence before the inquiry.
The alleged confrontation with Moloi adds another dimension, the treatment of journalists covering an inquiry that is itself examining alleged abuses of power within the criminal justice system.
The precise charges against Scharnick had not yet been confirmed at the time of its report, although the Sowetan confirmed that a complaint had been registered with the commission.
The arrest adds an extraordinary twist to an already explosive inquiry, a man linked to individuals under scrutiny at the Madlanga Commission has been arrested at the commission itself after a journalist covering its proceedings allegedly felt intimidated.
The case also raises questions about the security and protection of journalists working inside the inquiry and whether the commission will take any additional steps to protect members of the media covering its proceedings.
The matter remains developing and the exact charges against Scharnick are yet to be confirmed.
