The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, commonly referred to as the Madlanga Commission, is set to resume its much-anticipated public hearings on January 26, 2026.
The Commission submitted its Interim Report to President Cyril Ramaphosa on December 17, 2025, three months after its first public hearing on September 17, 2025.
Proceedings will now continue from where they paused in December, with the Commission expected to hear evidence from individuals implicated in serious allegations made by Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, as well as from witnesses who corroborated or substantiated those claims last year.
“As part of its remaining work, dozens of witnesses are due to appear before the Commission over the next few months. The Commission’s evidence leaders, investigators, secretariat and support staff have been working over the recess period to prepare for the hearings,” the Commission said.
It explained that Phase One of the inquiry focused on determining whether there was a factual basis for the allegations raised by Mkhwanazi. “Phase One was dedicated to establishing what factual foundation there was for the allegations of Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi,” it said.
During this phase, the Commission heard from witnesses who were able to substantiate the claims that led to its establishment. However, “the evidence was not subjected to testing questioning in Phase One,” the Commission noted.
It is explained that Phase Two will now allow those implicated during Phase One to respond. “Phase Two provides persons implicated in Phase One an opportunity to respond to the allegations made against them and, where applicable, to make their own allegations,” the Commission said. It added that this phase will also allow for the examination of other matters within its Terms of Reference that were not addressed during Phase One.
Looking ahead, the Commission said Phase Three will involve the recall of Mkhwanazi and witnesses who supported his allegations. “Phase Three will provide for the recall of Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi and the witnesses supporting his allegations,” it said. In this stage, their earlier evidence will be subjected to testing questioning, and they will be given an opportunity to respond to any evidence presented during Phase Two.
“It is important to note that the work of the Commission is dynamic and is part of an ongoing process,” the Commission revealed, adding that issues of critical importance to its mandate may still be addressed in future hearings, even if they do not fall neatly within the three defined phases.
Saturday Star