Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, chairperson of the newly established Judicial Commission of Inquiry into allegations of political interference and corruption within the South African Police Service (SAPS), assured the public during a media briefing on Monday that preparations are well under way.
Hearings are expected to begin in August.
The commission is currently in its setup phase. The commission was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa following explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Madlanga stated that although Mkhwanazi’s claims prompted the inquiry, the process must follow due diligence before any public hearings can commence.
“The fact that General Mkhwanazi made the allegations doesn’t mean we are immediately ready for hearings,” Madlanga said. “There must first be assessments and further consultations.”
Highlights from the briefing
Where will the hearings take place?
Hearings are set to take place in Gauteng. A procurement process for a venue is underway. Once secured, the public will be informed of the location as well as how to submit information online to assist the inquiry.
When will the inquiry start? Madlanga stated that while the inquiry may start in August, there is no confirmed date yet due to ongoing preparatory work, including consultations and evidence assessments.
“We assure South Africans that we are treating the matter with the urgency it deserves,” said Madlanga, emphasising the seriousness of the allegations. It’s worth noting that the commission has already begun work, with consultation with a first witness described as imminent.
Madlanga, a former candidate for Chief Justice and widely respected jurist, reiterated the importance of public trust and transparency:“Given the gravity of these allegations, it is important that we brief the public about our progress.”
The commission’s spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, opened the briefing on Monday and stressed the importance of punctuality and structure.
This commission was formed after Mkhwanazi’s claims that senior police officials, including Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, were involved in criminal syndicates and had interfered in politically sensitive investigations, including disbanding elite units tasked with corruption probes.
The inquiry will run with Parliament’s investigations, and calls are mounting from police unions and civil society for urgent presidential intervention at SAPS to restore public confidence.
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