Madlanga Commission of Inquiry hearings set to begin on September 17 after delays

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry will officially begin its hearings on 17 September.

The much-anticipated public hearings of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry were delayed indefinitely as the commission finalises the installation and testing of its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems.

The inquiry will probe issues of corruption, political interference, and criminal syndicate infiltration within South Africa's criminal justice system.

Initially set to begin on September 1 in Pretoria, the hearings were postponed amid growing criticism.

The commission, however, insisted that the delay was necessary to ensure a smooth and credible inquiry process.

The commission spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, reportedly said that while investigators and evidence leaders have begun consulting witnesses behind closed doors, the commission will not proceed publicly until its digital infrastructure is fully operational.

"We are focused on ensuring that all the necessary ICT infrastructure is in place so that investigators and the legal team can effectively probe the serious allegations made by KZN police commissioner, Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi", Michaels said.

The Justice and Constitutional Development Department has reportedly appointed service providers to expedite the process, while the Department of Public Works is tasked with preparing the hearing venue.

The Madlanga Commission, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate explosive claims made by Mkhwanazi.

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