Tshwane: The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, known as the Madlanga Commission, has emphasized that any arrests resulting from the revelations during its proceedings are conducted by the police, not the commission itself.

According to South African Government News Agency, the commission’s spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, stated that the commission was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa to look into allegations made by Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner. The task team responsible for investigating issues from the commission’s first interim report was set up by Police National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola.

Michaels clarified, “The commission is making this clarification because, recently, there have been media reports to the effect that the ‘Madlanga Task Team’ or ‘Madlanga Commission Task Team’ has arrested certain people. This is likely to lead to the wrong perception that Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, or the commission he chairs, is arresting people. The truth is that it is a SAPS task team that has been arresting people. Justice Madlanga is concerned by this possible perception, not least because the function of arresting people is at odds with the judicial function.”

Further interactions between the commission and the South African Police Service (SAPS) have led to an agreement to change the name of the task team to avoid further confusion. SAPS is expected to release additional communications regarding this change.

Meanwhile, the commission’s public hearings are ongoing at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Tshwane, where Gareth Mnisi, the city’s Chief Financial Officer, is currently testifying.