Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga will lead a cohort of 12 advocates as they begin work on the commission of inquiry into criminality, political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system.
He announced the details of the commission at a briefing on Monday, after the terms of reference for the commission were gazetted last week.
Madlanga said that first on the agenda is a meeting with KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. He’s the reason for the commission, following damning allegations he made against key figures in the criminal justice system earlier this month.
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“I wish assure South Africans that the work of the commission has commenced in earnest. To be specific, our first consultation with a witness is imminent.”
He said consultations were necessary to “help inform what further information the commission must follow up on”. Madlanga described Mkhwanazi’s allegations as covering “quite a wide spectrum”.
Public hearings are anticipated to start in August 2025, pending final preparations. The hearings are expected to take place in Gauteng, with infrastructure procurement currently underway.
Hearings will be livestreamed, though exceptions may be made for witness safety.
“Witness protection arrangements will be assessed on a case-by-case basis,” Madlanga confirmed.
Despite logistical hurdles, he assured the public that the wheels are in motion for the commission.
“We are proceeding with the commission’s preparatory work, full steam ahead.”
This article has been updated with additional information.
