Madlanga Commission marks one year with 110 witnesses and thousands of pages of evidence
JOHANNESBURG: The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System has marked one year of hearings, reporting what it describes as “demonstrable progress” in its investigation into alleged criminal syndicates, political interference and corruption within South Africa’s criminal justice system.
Commonly known as the Madlanga Commission, the inquiry held its first hearing on 17 September 2025 after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced its establishment on 13 July 2025 following allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
The Commission, chaired by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, with Advocate Sesi Baloyi SC and Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC serving as co-commissioners, has so far heard testimony from 110 witnesses over 174 days of hearings, up to and including 16 September 2026.
According to Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels, the witnesses included 36 SAPS officers, 25 Hawks officers, four Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department officers, eight Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department officers and City of Ekurhuleni staff, as well as six Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department officers and City of Tshwane staff.
The Commission also heard from two Gauteng Traffic Department officials, seven officials from the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption and National Prosecuting Authority, five Independent Police Investigative Directorate officials, two Members of Parliament, a Cabinet Minister, 11 private individuals and three experts.
The inquiry’s terms of reference include investigating whether criminal syndicates, including drug cartels, infiltrated or exerted undue influence over law enforcement and other institutions, including SAPS, metropolitan police departments, the NPA, State Security Agency, Department of Correctional Services and the Judiciary.
The Commission said its work had already resulted in consequences for a number of people who appeared before it.
“Numerous individuals who have appeared before the Commission have been arrested, are facing criminal charges, have appeared in court, have been suspended or have resigned from their jobs,” Michaels said.
The Commission also used the one-year milestone to remember Marius van der Merwe, who testified as Witness D before being assassinated in front of his family on 5 December 2025.
It paid tribute to other witnesses and members of the public who have provided information despite concerns for their personal safety.
Thousands of pages of evidence
The inquiry has generated a substantial body of evidence during its first year.
The Commission said it had produced 26,352 pages of oral testimony transcripts, while documentary evidence amounted to 105,282 pages contained in 750 document bundles or files, subject to necessary redactions.
Its public hotline received 1,894 calls, although 1,472 — approximately 78% — were unrelated to its terms of reference.
A further 4,548 emails were received from members of the public, with 3,295, or about 72%, falling outside the Commission’s mandate.
The Commission also considered approximately 22 applications for evidence to be heard in camera. Nineteen were granted, although one was later revoked and the witness subsequently testified publicly.
Eight hearings were conducted entirely in camera, with one later made available to the public through a redacted transcript. A further 11 hearings were conducted partially in camera.
Legal challenges
The Commission has also faced legal challenges during its work.
It has been party to three High Court applications. An application brought by Suliman Carrim was dismissed, while separate applications brought by Major General Feroz Khan and Sergeant Fannie Nkosi were withdrawn.
A recusal application was also brought against an Evidence Leader but was dismissed.
The Commission recorded its busiest day on 2 June 2026, when five witnesses gave evidence on the same day.
As the inquiry enters its second year, the Commission said it would continue with its work “without fear, favour or prejudice”.
It thanked its staff, security personnel, state institutions, the media and members of the public for their support.
The Commission’s one-year milestone comes as its investigation continues into allegations that have raised questions about criminality, corruption and possible interference across several components of South Africa’s criminal justice system.
