Johannesburg: The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, commonly referred to as the Madlanga Commission, is set to resume its public hearings on 26 January 2026. The Commission, which is pivotal in addressing serious allegations within the criminal justice system, delivered its interim report to President Cyril Ramaphosa on 17 December 2025, following the initial hearing that took place on 17 September 2025.
According to South African Government News Agency, the Commission will pick up from where it concluded in December 2025. It will continue hearing evidence from individuals implicated in serious allegations made by Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, along with testimonies from other witnesses who have corroborated these allegations. The Commission’s spokesperson, Jeremy Micheals, stated that numerous witnesses are scheduled to appear in the coming months, as part of the Commission’s remaining work.
The evidence leaders, investigators, secretariat, and support staff of the Commission have been diligently preparing for the hearings during the recess period. The Commission outlined that Phase One was focused on establishing a factual basis for Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi’s allegations, gathering evidence from witnesses capable of substantiating these claims. However, the evidence collected during this phase was not subjected to rigorous questioning.
Phase Two offers those implicated in Phase One an opportunity to address the allegations against them and potentially present their own allegations. This phase will also cover other issues within the Commission’s Terms of Reference that were not addressed previously.
Phase Three will involve the recall of Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi and supporting witnesses for rigorous questioning, allowing them to respond to any evidence presented against them during Phase Two. The Commission emphasized the dynamic nature of its work, highlighting that significant issues related to its mandate will be addressed in future hearings, even if they do not fit neatly within the predefined phases.