Pretoria: The commencement of the hearings of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System – known as the Madlanga Commission – has been delayed.
According to South African Government News Agency, the commission explained that this delay was caused by setbacks in procuring vital infrastructure, pushing back the previously announced start date of 1 September. The commission received commitments from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development that the necessary requirements would be procured in time. However, these commitments were not met, leading to the postponement of the hearings.
The commission stated that despite being ready to commence the hearings on 1 September 2025, the absence of procured requirements left them with no choice but to reschedule. The delay is particularly regrettable as a significant portion of the three-month period, at the end of which the commission is expected to submit an interim report, has passed without hearing any witnesses.
The commission emphasized that the delay was not due to its own actions. It plans to set a new commencement date once all necessary procurements by the department are completed. The commission assured South Africans that efforts are underway to ensure that the first witness will testify as soon as possible after the procurement process is finalized.
Led by former Constitutional Court Judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga, the commission was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa.