SMWX podcast

SMWX is a current affairs podcast founded and hosted by Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh, featuring interviews, political analysis and conversations. The latest episodes appear below as they are published on YouTube.

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Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh wearing a grey jacket.
We reflect on Lt Gen Dumisani Khumalo's testimony at the Madlanga Commission. Become a YouTube Member of SMWX: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk_qa4ssROH8aUDbgQXE5dA/join Visit the SMWX store for merch and books: https://smwx.store CONTACT: ✉️: info@smw-x.co.za Visit our website: smwx.africa _______ Credits: Director and DOP: Nomaan Haarzavi for Narr8 Studio Lead Camera Operator: Faizan Haq for Narr8 Studio 2nd Camera Operator: Yusuf Rahman for Narr8 Studio Producer: Oratile Kekana
RECAP: Khumalo drops bombshells | Madlanga Commission
Will the DA be the biggest party in Joburg? #smwx #elections
The TRC Inquiry has been underway for a number of months now and it has been mandated to look into issues arising from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Former Presidents Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki are expected to give testimony at this inquiry and in this episode we give you an overview of what the TRC inquiry is. Become a YouTube Member of SMWX: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk_qa4ssROH8aUDbgQXE5dA/join Visit the SMWX store for merch and books: https://smwx.store CONTACT: ✉️: info@smw-x.co.za Visit our website: smwx.africa _______ Credits: Director and DOP: Nomaan Haarzavi for Narr8 Studio Lead Camera Operator: Faizan Haq for Narr8 Studio 2nd Camera Operator: Yusuf Rahman for Narr8 Studio Producer: Oratile Kekana
Unpacking the TRC Inquiry | Zuma, Mbeki to appear
We continue with reflecting on previous Madlanga Commission testimonies. Today, we look at Day 2 of Lt Gen Sibiya's testimony. Become a YouTube Member of SMWX: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk_qa4ssROH8aUDbgQXE5dA/join Visit the SMWX store for merch and books: https://smwx.store CONTACT: ✉️: info@smw-x.co.za Visit our website: smwx.africa _______ Credits: Director and DOP: Nomaan Haarzavi for Narr8 Studio Lead Camera Operator: Faizan Haq for Narr8 Studio 2nd Camera Operator: Yusuf Rahman for Narr8 Studio Producer: Oratile Kekana
RECAP: Sibiya interrogated | Madlanga Commission
Could the ANC lose more votes—and still hold on to power in South Africa’s biggest cities? The latest election polls point to a fragmented political landscape. Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh breaks down the national picture using the SMWX Election Lab, before examining the battles for Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, eThekwini, Nelson Mandela Bay and Buffalo City. We explore where the DA and MK Party are challenging the ANC, how smaller parties could shape coalition governments, and why winning more wards does not necessarily mean winning more council seats. We also unpack the ANC’s Constitutional Court battle with the IEC over candidate nominations—and what it could mean for voters and representation. How much can these polls really tell us? And who could turn electoral support into governing power? Explore the polling data and methodology: https://smwx-election-polling-2026.vv0.chatgpt.site/ Subscribe to SMWX for independent analysis of South African politics. #SMWX #LocalElections2026 #SouthAfrica Pace Car Rental: www.pacecarrental.co.za Become a YouTube Member of SMWX: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk_qa4ssROH8aUDbgQXE5dA/join Visit the SMWX store for merch and books: https://smwx.store CONTACT: ✉️: info@smw-x.co.za Visit our website: smwx.africa _______ Credits: Director and DOP: Nomaan Haarzavi for Narr8 Studio Lead Camera Operator: Faizan Haq for Narr8 Studio 2nd Camera Operator: Yusuf Rahman for Narr8 Studio Producer: Oratile Kekana 00:00 – Introduction 00:14 – Pace Car Rental 00:42 – What to expect from the election 01:30 – How the polling averages were calculated 02:45 – ANC’s national support 03:31 – DA’s growth and electoral ceiling 04:44 – MK Party holds its ground 05:28 – EFF’s polling position 06:08 – Johannesburg and the election bet 08:42 – Johannesburg’s coalition scenarios 10:29 – Tshwane and a possible ANC–DA deal 12:26 – Ekurhuleni’s fragmented race 13:38 – eThekwini and MK’s coalition options 15:29 – Buffalo City and Mangaung 17:04 – How ward and proportional seats work 19:19 – Ward strongholds and seat overhang 20:44 – ANC falling, opposition stagnating 21:36 – Closing remarks
I've read the polls. Here's what could happen this election…
Bheki Cele’s links to Cat Matlala are back in the spotlight. #smwx
We take a look back at the appearance of suspended Deputy National Commissioner, Lt Gen Shadrack Sibiya. Become a YouTube Member of SMWX: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk_qa4ssROH8aUDbgQXE5dA/join Visit the SMWX store for merch and books: https://smwx.store CONTACT: ✉️: info@smw-x.co.za Visit our website: smwx.africa _______ Credits: Director and DOP: Nomaan Haarzavi for Narr8 Studio Lead Camera Operator: Faizan Haq for Narr8 Studio 2nd Camera Operator: Yusuf Rahman for Narr8 Studio Producer: Oratile Kekana 00:00 – Sibiya takes the oath 02:43 – Opening statement 04:50 – Career history and qualifications 17:56 – The deputy national commissioner’s responsibilities 23:21 – Labour disputes and the Hawks dismissal 36:52 – Disputed travel claims and vehicle purchase 45:52 – High-treason and espionage allegations 1:12:59 – Public Protector investigation and surveillance equipment 1:39:45 – Suspension and disciplinary charges 1:44:34 – Why Sibiya says the PKTT should end 1:46:04 – Work-study report and specialised police units 2:21:43 – Meeting minutes on the PKTT’s future 2:28:48 – Mary de Haas’s complaint 2:34:13 – Mchunu’s disbandment directive 2:45:01 – Drafting and signing the implementation plan 2:52:09 – Questions about Masemola’s instructions 3:04:30 – Sibiya corrects his written account 3:12:27 – Adjournment and resumption 3:12:49 – Disputing the national commissioner’s account 3:39:33 – Responding to Mkhwanazi’s allegations 3:40:26 – Withdrawal of the 121 dockets 4:09:45 – Reviewing progress on the dockets 4:22:39 – Arrest instructions and delays 4:40:55 – Returning dockets to KwaZulu-Natal 4:48:13 – Reinstatement and promotion in SAPS 5:00:07 – Sibiya’s time at the City of Johannesburg 5:17:33 – Messages extracted from Matlala’s phone 5:24:35 – Sibiya’s meetings with Matlala 5:28:13 – The kidnapping investigation 5:45:24 – Disputes with Masemola and the cold-case unit 6:04:25 – Cold-case reporting lines and supporting documents 6:08:33 – Adjournment
RECAP: Sibiya grilled at Madlanga Commission
A SAPS forensic report has recently recommended that former Police Minister Bheki Cele be criminally charged for receiving benefits from Vusimusi Cat Matlala such as alleged cash payments, penthouse stays at no cost and many others. We unpack this and what it means for the credibility of those entrusted to safeguard public resources and policies. We also shift to the latest remarks by the USA's ambassador to South Africa, Brent Bozell's about DIRCO Minister Ronald Lamola and how this continues to affect relationships between South Africa and the US. Become a YouTube Member of SMWX: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk_qa4ssROH8aUDbgQXE5dA/join Visit the SMWX store for merch and books: https://smwx.store CONTACT: ✉️: info@smw-x.co.za Visit our website: smwx.africa _______ Credits: Director and DOP: Nomaan Haarzavi for Narr8 Studio Lead Camera Operator: Faizan Haq for Narr8 Studio 2nd Camera Operator: Yusuf Rahman for Narr8 Studio Producer: Oratile Kekana 00:00 – Opening preview 01:10 – Welcome to SMWX 01:33 – Bheki Cele and the SAPS forensic report 05:26 – Cele’s responses and possible defences 09:38 – Evidence gaps and the NPA’s decision 10:46 – The cost to police recruitment 11:50 – Sibiya’s disciplinary hearing 16:33 – Maumela’s Ferrari and the SIU case 19:29 – Brent Bozell and SA–US relations 21:35 – Bozell outlines Washington’s demands 24:09 – How the diplomatic dispute escalated 29:40 – Lamola responds to Bozell 31:47 – Diplomatic rules and South Africa’s options 33:29 – Bozell responds to the demarches 35:49 – Sovereignty, free speech and power imbalances 39:09 – Closing remarks
Bheki Cele in hot water for links to Cat Matlala?
We're going back in time and re-capping the appearance of Lt Gen Mkhwanazi at the Madlanga Commission in September 2025. Become a YouTube Member of SMWX: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk_qa4ssROH8aUDbgQXE5dA/join Visit the SMWX store for merch and books: https://smwx.store CONTACT: ✉️: info@smw-x.co.za Visit our website: smwx.africa _______ Credits: Director and DOP: Nomaan Haarzavi for Narr8 Studio Lead Camera Operator: Faizan Haq for Narr8 Studio 2nd Camera Operator: Yusuf Rahman for Narr8 Studio Producer: Oratile Kekana 00:00 – The correctional-centre arrest and forensic evidence 11:54 – The RBM deployment and messages to Mkhwanazi 21:41 – Brown Mogotsi’s access to police information 31:32 – Media reports and alleged pressure on Mkhwanazi 44:48 – Feroz Khan’s disciplinary hearing 49:34 – Further questions about Mogotsi’s messages 59:09 – Adjournment and resumption 1:01:03 – July messages and crime-intelligence arrests 1:04:40 – Mkhwanazi’s parliamentary presentation 1:09:35 – Matlala, Mogotsi and the task-team disbandment 1:18:50 – The minister’s letter and its three directives 1:23:20 – Messages about meetings and police leadership 1:34:28 – Recalling task-team members from Gauteng 1:48:44 – Political interference in police operations 2:07:08 – Allegations involving the judiciary 2:32:55 – Historical interference and the Mdluli matter 2:52:02 – Sibiya’s appointment and return to SAPS 3:14:54 – Johannesburg’s inquiry and surveillance equipment 3:22:05 – Sibiya’s promotion and the emerging picture 3:29:48 – Attempts to seek redress before going public 3:38:59 – Responding to claims of breaching protocol 3:47:42 – Alleged retaliation and the Empangeni matter 3:51:50 – IPID’s interference investigation 4:01:00 – Actions against crime-intelligence investigators 4:06:06 – Ballistic evidence and further complaints 4:17:12 – Responding to public allegations 4:25:03 – Closing questions and future appearances
RECAP (Day 1): Mkhwanazi drops bombshells | Madlanga Commission
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