Justice Minister cracks whip on top officials over Madlanga Commission delays

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has suspended the Department’s Deputy Director-General, Jabu Hlatshwayo and Director-General, Adv Doctor Mashabane, following delays in the start of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

The commission was set to begin hearings on 1 September, but the Justice Department failed to procure the required infrastructure in time.

President Cyril Ramaphosa established the Commission in April, in response to KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s explosive allegations of corruption taking place within the police force.

Kubayi says she made aware on Friday, that the Commission will not be able to commence next month, as scheduled.

“I immediately convened several meetings throughout Friday, I brought in some of the officials to try and see if there are issues we need to resolve and how we can ensure that the 1st of September is not compromised,” she said.

“It was evident towards the end of the day that we will not be able to practically do that because intervention would have meant that we would violate PFMA and SCM processes.”

She conceded that the delays could have been avoided and confirmed that a full report has since been submitted to the President.

The commission has labeled the delays as unfortunate, saying they were ready to commence with the hearings next month.

“What is most regrettable is that a substantial portion of the three-month period at the end of which the Commission is expected to submit an interim report has gone by without the Commission having heard a single witness.”

In the statement, the commission said a date would be announced once all departmental procurement processes are finalized.

Political and governance expert, Professor Sam Koma, has criticised the delay, calling it a result of sheer poor planning.

Professor Koma warned that continued delays will further erode public trust in state institutions and the government’s commitment to transparency.

A number of political parties have slammed the delay, with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) calling it a deliberate attempt to stifle accountability.

EFF’s national spokesperson, Sinawo Thambo, says the pronouncement of the commission was a political ploy to ease the anxieties of South Africans.

Thambo says the delay is yet another victory for what he calls the criminal networks and drug syndicates destroying the nation.

The MK Party has also weighed in, saying the delay is not surprising.

The party’s spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, says justice is being deliberately delayed and, by extension, denied.

“The delay has created a convenient loophole for implicated individuals such as Commissioner Sibiya, who now argues that his placement on leave is unnecessary because the allegations remain untested in the absence of a sitting Commission,” he said.

[MEDIA STATEMENT]: MK PARTY REJECTS THE MADLANGA COMMISSION AS A SPECTACLE AIMED AT DELAYING AND DENYING THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH AFRICA JUSITCE. pic.twitter.com/emwdOkdvrt

— uMkhonto WeSizwe Party (Official) (@MkhontoweSizwex) August 26, 2025

South Africans also took to social media to weigh in on the matter.

Everything is possible from SA govt. But all is putrid and stinking to high heavens. Imagine the delay Rama Coward responded to the Mkhwanazi expose and how he later expressed extreme urgency of Madlanga Commission.
Now delaying it. He knows why & is testing our patience.

— Vivi Patriot (@ViviMpikashe) August 26, 2025

This is General Mkhwanazi’s commission, Madlanga is another skelem.

— Mthuli (@Mthuli4) August 26, 2025

They have delayed the start of the Madlanga commission into General Mkhwanazi’s July 6th press conference. They want us to forget about it, as with all the other commissions. 💔

— Molatelo Racheku 🇿🇦 (@MolateloRacheku) August 26, 2025

The suspension of the DDG and the disciplinary action on the DG means there were ISSUES far beyond just compliance to PFMA that delayed the Madlanga Commission.

— Responsible Father of Three!!! 🇿🇦 (@AndileMlondo) August 26, 2025

🧵DISGRACEFUL! Madlanga Commission, set up by @PresidencyZA to probe criminal infiltration of law enforcement & judiciary, is stalled – simply because Justice Dept hasn’t prepared the infrastructure for it to begin.

— Pinky Khoabane (@pinkykhoabane) August 26, 2025

Why is President Ramaphosa dithering on providing the required infrastructure for the Madlanga Commission? Is he getting pressure from the criminal network in his party? Why is he on the other hand pouring resources and moving with speed on the so called National Dialogue?

— Farmer (@thabomoeng) August 26, 2025