As published by Ntombi Nkosi in the African Times
South Africa’s already fragile trust in commissions of inquiry has taken another blow following the sudden suspension of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System — popularly known as the Madlanga Commission.
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The inquiry, chaired by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, was set to begin hearings on 1 September 2025 but has been postponed indefinitely after the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development failed to provide the infrastructure needed for the Commission to operate.
Justice Madlanga did not hide his frustration, confirming that “were it not for the lack of requirements that the Department has failed to procure, the Commission would otherwise have been ready to commence the hearings on 1 September.”
The setback has sparked fierce political reactions and reignited public scepticism about South Africa’s long history of costly commissions that often drag on for years, deliver thick reports, but rarely lead to meaningful change.
EFF: Proof of a Sham
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), which has long been critical of the Commission, said the suspension only confirmed its view that President Cyril Ramaphosa never intended to see justice done.
“This forms part of a deliberate attempt to stifle accountability,” the EFF declared. “The establishment of this Commission was nothing but a pretence at action, knowing very well that there was no intention of ever holding his close political ally and current Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu accountable.”
The party said the inquiry had been designed to “calm public outrage” over allegations that criminal syndicates and corrupt politicians had infiltrated law enforcement, with the hope that citizens would “forget the damning allegations in time.”
The EFF accused Ramaphosa of protecting Mchunu, who remains on “special leave” but continues to draw a ministerial salary, security detail, and other perks. “South Africa effectively has two Ministers of Police, which the Constitution does not allow,” the party charged, reiterating its demand for Mchunu’s dismissal.
The red berets went further, urging Justice Madlanga to resign, warning that he was being used as a “pawn” in what they described as a disgraced and fake process.
DA: State Incompetence Exposed
The Democratic Alliance (DA) argued that the suspension highlighted the government’s failure to manage its own promises.
“The Department of Justice’s inability to provide basic infrastructure is not a hiccup; it is symptomatic of a collapsing state,” DA justice spokesperson Glynnis Breytenbach said. “This Commission was supposed to produce an interim report in just three months. Every day of delay undermines that mandate.”
The DA called for urgent parliamentary oversight to ensure the Commission is revived before it collapses completely.
IFP: A Betrayal of Victims
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) expressed disappointment, saying the inquiry was about restoring trust in a justice system many South Africans believe has been captured.
“Families who have suffered at the hands of organised crime and corruption were banking on this Commission,” said IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa. “This delay is a betrayal of their hopes for accountability.”
ANC: Temporary Hurdle, Not Sabotage
The African National Congress (ANC) dismissed accusations of sabotage, insisting that the delay was a technical matter.
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ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the Department of Justice had encountered “unexpected logistical challenges” but remained committed to resourcing the Commission.
“This is an administrative setback, not a conspiracy. Attempts to narrow this Commission to one individual or case are opportunistic,” she said, defending the government’s commitment to accountability.
South Africa’s Troubled Record with Inquiries
The suspension has reignited public debate about South Africa’s long and controversial history with commissions of inquiry.
The most prominent recent example, the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, ran for nearly four years, cost taxpayers more than R1 billion, and produced thousands of pages of findings. While it laid bare extensive corruption under former President Jacob Zuma’s administration, implementation of its recommendations has been painfully slow. Few of the implicated politicians or businesspeople have faced serious consequences.
Ordinary South Africans often view these commissions as expensive talk shops. From the Seriti Commission into the Arms Deal, which was discredited for failing to expose wrongdoing, to the Marikana Commission, which disappointed victims’ families, the country’s record is chequered.
Against this backdrop, hopes that the Madlanga Commission could deliver swift, credible answers were already fragile. The indefinite suspension has deepened cynicism.
“South Africa has developed a culture of outsourcing accountability to commissions,” said Corruption Watch director Karam Singh. “But if they are underfunded, delayed, or ignored, then they become tools of political theatre rather than justice.”
What the Madlanga Commission Was Supposed to Do
The Commission was tasked with probing three interlinked crises: Criminality — whether police, prosecutors, and even judges are colluding with criminal syndicates. Political interference — whether politicians manipulate investigations to shield allies or target opponents and Corruption — how bribes and tender fraud undermine the justice system’s ability to protect citizens.
Given widespread frustration with violent crime, corruption scandals, and political meddling, the inquiry was expected to deliver an interim report within three months to reassure the public. The suspension now makes that timeline almost impossible.
Trust at Breaking Point
Civil society groups warn the suspension risks eroding public trust in institutions even further.
“For many South Africans, commissions are already seen as wasteful exercises that drain the public purse while failing to deliver justice,” Singh said. “This latest delay will only reinforce that perception.”
For now, Justice Madlanga has not resigned but expressed his “deep disappointment” with the Department of Justice. The Commission remains in limbo, a symbol of both South Africa’s determination to confront corruption and its repeated failure to do so effectively.
As the political battles rage, ordinary citizens are left wondering whether yet another inquiry will join the long list of commissions that promised justice but delivered disillusionment.
This article has been published in partnership with the African Times.
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