By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The start of the Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry into malfeasance, corruption, and political interference in South Africa’s criminal justice system has been delayed due to the Department of Justice’s failure to meet procurement deadlines.
The hearings, initially set for 1 September 2025, have been postponed indefinitely, with the commission blaming the department for not providing the required infrastructure.
President Cyril Ramaphosa gazetted the Madlanga commission into law to investigate law enforcement corruption, following public allegations by Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Mkhwanazi said that a criminal syndicate infiltrated law enforcement and intelligence structures in South Africa.
He alleged that the Minister of Police also interfered with a police investigation and colluded with business people to disband the Police Killings Task Team in KZN.
He also claimed that a police investigation unmasked a syndicate controlled by a drug cartel that involved members of the police, correctional services, judiciary and politicians.
The allegations caused a storm, with Police Minister Senzo Mchunu placed on special leave by Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa then decided to appoint a commission of inquiry to oversee the allegations,with retired Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga as its chairperson.
In a statement released on Tuesday morning, the commission said the delay was due “to delays in the procurement of vital infrastructure”.
Those commitments have not been met. As a result, it has become clear that the commission will not be able to start the hearings as scheduled,” it said.
“But for the lack of the requirements the department has failed to procure, the commission would have been ready to start the hearings on September 1.”
Madlanga said the commission was left with no choice but to reschedule the starting date.
The most regrettable part about the delay was that a substantial portion of the three-month period — at the end of which the commission is expected to submit an interim report — had gone by without it having heard a single witness, he said.
“This is not of the commission’s making,” he said.
“The commission considers it best to fix a new date for the commencement of its hearings once everything that needs to be procured by the department is in place. It also assures South Africans it is doing everything within its power to ensure that the first witness will take the stand as soon as possible after everything has been procured.”
A budget of close to R150 million has been allocated for the commission, which is expected to take over six months.