Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry delays Mkhwanazi allegations amid infrastructure Issues
by Mathipa Phishego
The Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry, which is tasked with investigating explosive allegations of political interference and police corruption raised by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has been officially delayed, with no new start date announced.
The Commission, initially scheduled to commence on September 1, 2025, cited delays in the procurement of essential infrastructure as the reason behind the unexpected postponement.
In a formal statement released earlier on Tuesday, August 26.
The Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry expressed regret over the postponement. “The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System regrets to announce that its hearings will not commence on 1 September 2025 due to delays in the procurement of vital infrastructure,” stated the statement.
The statement explained that the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development had given the Commission firm assurances that all necessary infrastructure would be in place by the start date. However, these commitments were not fulfilled in time. But for the lack of the requirements that the Department has failed to procure.
“The Commission would otherwise have been ready to commence the hearings on 1 September 2025. Regrettably, the Commission is now left with no choice but to reschedule the starting date,” read the statement.
One of the major concerns expressed by the Commission is the loss of valuable time within the three-month window initially allocated for producing an interim report. As the statement notes, “a substantial portion of the three-month period at the end of which the Commission is expected to submit an interim report has gone by without the Commission having heard a single witness. This is not of the Commission’s making.”
The Commission emphasized that it will only announce a new start date once all infrastructure has been secured. It also reassured the public that it remains committed to uncovering the truth behind the serious allegations:
“It also wishes to assure South Africans that 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 by the Department,” concludwd thw statement.
The Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry was established following revelations by Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who alleged widespread political interference in police operations and corruption within the criminal justice system. The inquiry is seen as a critical step toward restoring public confidence in law enforcement and holding powerful figures accountable.
https://www.corruptionwatch.org.za/madlanga-commission-will-sit-in-pretoria-from-1-september
