Cape Town – South Africa will soon begin the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, set to investigate allegations of political interference and criminal infiltration in the justice system.
Chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, the commission has a R147.9 million budget for six months and will open on September 17 at the Bridget Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria.
The inquiry stems from explosive claims by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who will be the first witness.
He alleges that former Police Minister Senzo Mchunu unlawfully shut down the Political Killings Task Team to shield politically connected networks.
The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry begins this week. eNCA’s @pule_jones gives us a breakdown of the lead-up to the commission starting its work on Wednesday in Pretoria. pic.twitter.com/gzWFrHVOmq
— eNCA (@eNCA) September 14, 2025
A top legal team, led by Advocate Terry Motau, will oversee the proceedings, which will be streamed publicly except when dealing with classified information.
Civil society group OUTA and analysts welcome the inquiry but doubt its impact, warning it could face the same fate as the Zondo Commission, whose findings saw little enforcement.
Critics fear entrenched corruption, lack of political will, and ANC sensitivities – especially with possible implications for figures linked to the MK Party – may undermine its effectiveness.
Some analysts caution that commissions of inquiry in South Africa often end up burying the truth rather than driving accountability.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
