Madlanga Commission

The AdHoc Committee and the Madlanga Commission work differently, with different rules regarding disclosure, especially when investigations are ongoing criminal investigations.

“I see the work of this Commission and its terms of references somewhat different from the AdHoc Committee. And here, the rules are somewhat different. And not disclosing is not an option, but you are able to disclose, and perhaps, as we have been allowed in some instances, Commissioners, to indicate that the disclosure is also made on the basis of confidentiality for certain reasons. This Commission allows us that. And it is on the basis of it having been part of a criminal investigation, and not wanting to give it to them.”

An individual with strong personal ethics in a structurally corrupt system is powerless, lacks institutional support for ethical behaviour, and faces continued pressure to ignore misconduct, with examples from Zondo Commission and Madlanga Commission.

“A n i n d i v i d u a l w i t h s t r o n g p e r s o n a l e t h i c s o p e r a t i n g i n s i d e a s t r u c t u r a l l y c o r r u p t s y s t e m ... B o t h t h e Z o n d o C o m m i s s i o n a n d e v i d e n c e b e f o r e t h e M a d l a n g a C o m m i s s i o n p r o v i d e s u c h e x a m p l e s ...”

Mrs. Hongwe P states that General Masemola, the National Commissioner of Police at the time and witness before the Ad Hoc Committee, did not follow up or make any enquiries about the call made to her including an offer from General Khan.

“the person you were talking to at that point was General Masemola ... he is the National Commissioner of Police ... Did he follow up and make any enquiries about this call that was made to you with this offer from General Khan ? ... It is only the Madlanga Commission that has spoken to me about this matter, apart from my political party ... I did not even see a need to open a case or do anything further ...”

Mrs. Hongwe P asserts that the Madlanga Commission is the only body that has spoken to her about the matter regarding the call and offer from General Khan, and that she deemed mentioning it in the Ad Hoc Committee sufficient, feeling protected by laws and the committee.

“It is only the Madlanga Commission that has spoken to me about this matter , apart from my political party . And in my thinking , I think mentioning it there in the Ad Hoc , for me it was enough . I did not even see a need to open a case or do anything further because that space , I think it is a protected space . We are governed by certain laws there . We are protected by certain laws .”

Mrs. Hongwe P expresses cautious optimism about the Madlanga Commission's work and hopes for meaningful crime fighting in South Africa, contrasting it with earlier commissions like the Zondo Commission.

“I appreciate the level of the Madlanga Commission work ... I was seeing a Zondo Commission 2 ... it was not going where we wanted to ... But when we as the MKP members in the Ad Hoc changed the notch , people in South Africa focused so , so much in the Ad Hoc until something changed here . ... I appreciate you guys for being fair and honest ... The South Africans are seeing that exactly as I see it ... I hope we work together in fighting this crime in South Africa ...”

General Senona was served with a disciplinary notice two days after his last appearance at the Commission, stating he was suspended because of what he said at the Madlanga Commission.

“On the 31st of January, two days after the last appearance of the General here, he was served with a disciplinary notice by the police and it said in so many words, you are being suspended because of what you said at the Madlanga Commission.”

Colonel Jacob wanted to prepare a statement to be signed by Warrant Officer Sander regarding a seizure rebutting a statement made by General Flynn.

“H e s a i d t o m e h e w o u l d b e e n a p p r o a c h e d , a n d h e h a d t o g i v e a s t a t e m e n t f o r M a d l a n g a . H e w a n t e d j u s t t o c o n f i r m a v e r s i o n o f h i s r e g a r d i n g a s e i z u r e t h a t I h a d m a d e a t C H C .”

Colonel Jacob believed statements made before the Madlanga Commission about an operation in 2020 were incorrect and required rebuttal; therefore, Warrant Officer Sander was asked to provide a statement to corroborate the existence of an issue at Isipingo Police Station.

“The Colonel was of the opinion that statements made before the Madlanga Commission were incorrect ... he needed to further explain ... corroborate the fact that there was an issue at Isipingo Police Station”

Brigadier Nkhwashu and others had a conversation about suspects being escorted, involving Sergeant Tshukudu and other members, but he is hesitant to mention names in public due to fear of implication.

“I do not have a problem myself. However, you know, when you start mentioning Madlanga Commission, no one will want this name to be mentioned because people have a fear of being implicated...”

Commissioner Mkhwanazi submitted a supplementary statement to the Madlanga Commission, which includes five annexures.

“Did you submit a supplementary statement? ... The actual statement is a six-paged document for the moment, and attached to that document are five annexures.”

Commissioner Mkhwanazi has a bereavement in the family and the funeral is tomorrow, 21 March 2026, which affects his testimony scheduling.

“Commissioner Mkhwanazi has a bereavement in the family and the funeral is tomorrow, the 21st of March.”

The testimony of Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi has been postponed to 14 April 2026 to allow him to attend the funeral and observe necessary rituals.

“The hearing of Commissioner Julius Mkhwanazi's evidence will be on 14 20 April 2026”

The task team appointed to investigate people mentioned in the Commission is constituted by members who worked at the PKT, led by General Khumalo who makes allegations against them, causing suspicion about neutrality.

“And when we learned what is the team constitution, is that it is constituted by members who worked at the PKT and the leader is still General Khumalo, who is one of the people making allegations against us.”

L T General Shibiri affirms commitment to cooperating fully with the Commission and assisting it in establishing the truth regarding matters under investigation.

“I remain committed to cooperating fully with the Commission and to assisting it in establishing the truth regarding the matters under the investigation.”

Commission Chair rebuked Lt-Gen Shibiri for initially denying knowledge of facts about his relationship with Mr Matlala, despite having time to prepare and review documents.

“Chair has warned witnesses in this commission many times that when they are asked things that should be within their knowledge, first they deny them they claim not to know until they are shown documents and only then do they suddenly remember. You have known for a couple of months now that you will be coming to this commission to testify about your relationship with Mr Matlala.”