Delays hit Madlanga Commission as ICT readiness stalls public hearings

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

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

The commission, however, insists the delay is 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 commission has stated that a new start date will be announced once technical readiness is confirmed.

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

Among those allegations is political interference in high-profile investigations linked to politically motivated killings in KZN.

The postponement has raised eyebrows, particularly as public interest intensifies in the wake of Mkhwanazi’s July accusation that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu ordered the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team and the removal of 121 key dockets from the unit.

Formed in 2019, the Task Team was created in response to the findings of the Moerane Commission, which investigated political violence in KwaZulu-Natal following a string of assassinations linked to intra-party rivalries.

In a significant development, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola announced on Thursday that the 121 dockets would be returned to the Task Team.

He confirmed that these cases—many involving murder, attempted murder, and intimidation—would be processed and handed back to the KwaZulu-Natal team to continue investigations.

However, Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia expressed concern over the lack of communication.

On Friday, he revealed that he had requested a comprehensive report from Masemola on the current status and operational capacity of the Task Team—information he has yet to receive.

Cachalia’s comments come amid mounting pressure to ensure accountability and transparency in handling cases that have far-reaching implications for political stability and public trust in law enforcement.

As the country awaits the commission’s rescheduled hearings, questions remain about the readiness of state institutions to deliver justice in politically sensitive investigations—and whether the delay signals deeper administrative and political challenges ahead.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

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