By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The presidency has confirmed that Cyril Ramaphosa has received the interim report from Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, probing allegations of criminality, political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system.
The commission has heard from a number of witnesses, including Minister Senzo Mchunu who is on special leave, and who is alleged to have issued a directive to disband the Political Killings Task Team, set up in 2018, to shield politically connected members of a criminal syndicate from prosecution.
He disbanded the team without consulting national Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola. In December, he told the commission that as far back as 2019, a work study report had recommended integrating the Political Killings Task Team into the SAPS Murder and Robbery Unit.
Mchunu said that his 31 December 2024 directive to disband the unit was driven by his view that the unit had become “administratively untenable”. He claimed this assessment was reinforced by numerous complaints of human rights abuses submitted to him by civil society actors, whistleblowers, SAPS members, members of Parliament and members of the public.
The commission, according to its terms of reference, has “all the powers necessary” to summon witnesses and compel the production of documents, and to conduct search-and-seizure operations, subject to applicable law.
It also has the “power to refer matters for immediate criminal investigation and urgent decisions on prosecution, taking into account the nature of the allegations and evidence the commission will uncover”.
Beyond Mchunu’s testimony, the commission also heard evidence alleging that some law enforcement officials colluded with drug cartels, including claims of interference in investigations, advance warnings to suspects before raids, and the protection of drug trafficking networks in exchange for bribes.
Witnesses described how these compromised relationships enabled organised crime syndicates involved in narcotics, extortion and contract killings to operate with relative impunity, eroding the integrity of the criminal justice system and public confidence in the police.
Ramaphosa has expressed his appreciation for the interim report as well as his expectation that the commission will,as part of its terms of reference, refer actions thought to be criminal for prosecution,” said Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.
Magwenya said the interim report will help Ramaphosa to get up to speed with the commission’s work as he has not had the luxury of time to follow the commission proceedings daily.
The Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels said, the interim report represents months of detailed investigation and meticulous documentation.
He praised the contribution of all individuals and organisations that have facilitated the Commission’s operations. “On behalf of Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, his co-Commissioners Advocate Sesi Baloyi SC and Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC, and the entire Commission, we would like to thank all witnesses and all those who have come forward to assist in our work,” Michaels said.
Michaels also expressed appreciation to the public for their engagement and urged South Africans to remain attentive to the Commission’s work. “We would like to thank all members of the public who have engaged with the critically important work of the Commission over the last few months, and we wish all South Africans a blessed and safe festive holiday season.”
The commission has paused for Christmas and New Year, with only essential staff on duty and it is expected to resume hearings in January 2026, as pressure mounts for accountability and justice.