The Madlanga Commission has marked a year since it began its investigation into alleged criminality, political interference and corruption in South Africa’s criminal justice system. On September 17, 2025, the commission held its first hearing. A year later, many more hearings have taken place, with 110 witnesses and extensive evidence examined as part of its probe into alleged corruption.
The inquiry was established after KwaZulu-Natal’s top cop, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, made a series of allegations. Mkhwanazi claimed that there was an attempt to disband the Political Killings Task Team after it uncovered a criminal syndicate that had infiltrated the criminal justice system. “I believe this commission will stand to play a very important role in order to help us to prevent this total collapse of the justice system in our country,” Mkhwanazi said during his testimony on the first day of the commission’s hearings. Shortly after, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the Judicial Commission of Inquiry, headed by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga.
Since then, there have been numerous witnesses, including 36 SAPS officers, 25 Hawks officers, seven IDAC and NPA officials, and five IPID officials, among others. The commission’s work has already had real consequences, with several people who appeared before it arrested, charged, suspended or resigning from their positions. It has also accumulated more than 26,000 pages of oral testimony and more than 105,000 pages of documentary evidence.
The commission has stated that it will continue its work without fear, favour or prejudice.
