The Madlanga Commission has drawn a hard line against last-minute absences, warning it will not tolerate witnesses who call in sick on the morning they are due to testify.
This comes after political fixer Brown Mogotsi’s failure to return to the witness stand on Monday, citing illness just as proceedings were about to begin.
Several witnesses have since called in sick at the commission on the day that they were supposed to testify.
Moments into the session, evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson SC informed the inquiry that Mogotsi had contacted him earlier that morning, saying he was unwell and would not attend.
He undertook to seek medical attention and submit a medical certificate later in the day.The sudden development halted momentum and triggered visible frustration within the commission.
Speaking to reporters after an abrupt adjournment, commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels said the inquiry was treating last-minute illness claims with the utmost seriousness.
“As you heard, he indicated he would be seeking medical attention and would furnish the commission with a medical certificate,” Michaels said. “But this is obviously problematic.”
He stressed that the commission cannot function effectively if witnesses withdraw at the eleventh hour without verified medical proof.
At the time of adjournment, no certificate had been submitted.
Commission chair Mbuyiseli Madlanga signalled that patience is wearing thin.
While Chaskalson told the panel that Mogotsi had been cooperative up to this point and requested that he be allowed to consult a doctor, the commission made clear that goodwill has limits.
Michaels confirmed that the inquiry is considering its legal options.
Those include a possible finding of contempt and even an application for a warrant of arrest should Mogotsi fail to provide satisfactory medical evidence.
“The commission cannot have a situation where witnesses simply fall ill at the last minute,” he said.
Madlanga is expected to determine the next steps once the promised medical certificate is received.
The inquiry is set to resume, with the spotlight now firmly fixed on whether Mogotsi’s absence was legitimate or a test of the commission’s authority.
kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za
IOL Politics
