- Director-General Doc Mashabane and ICT deputy director-general Jabu Hlatshwayo have been suspended after the commission failed to open on 1 September.
- The inquiry was set up by President Cyril Ramaphosa after KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused senior figures of corruption.
The start of the Madlanga commission has collapsed because the justice department failed to deliver the basics.
The inquiry, which was meant to begin public hearings on 1 September at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria, had to be called off at the last minute.
Chaired by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, the commission was set up by President Cyril Ramaphosa after KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused senior figures in the justice system of corruption and collusion.
But on Tuesday the commission announced it could not begin as planned. It said ICT systems, security adjustments and even basic office setup were not ready, leaving it unable to host witnesses or manage hearings.
Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi said she had been left with no choice but to suspend Director-General Doc Mashabane and deputy director-general for ICT Jabu Hlatshwayo. Mashabane faces disciplinary action, while Hlatshwayo was already suspended last week.
Kubayi admitted her department carries full responsibility for the delay. She said she had called urgent meetings with senior officials and the commission to try to resolve the problems, but she could not intervene directly without breaking procurement laws.
“I immediately reported to the president and informed him of the suspensions,” she said. Ramaphosa delegated powers to her to act against Mashabane.
She stressed that despite the setback, the commission has already begun its behind-the-scenes work.
Interactions with witnesses have started, and protection guidelines have been put in place, although details are being kept confidential because of the sensitivity of the cases.
The government has set aside R147.9-million for the inquiry, which is expected to run for at least six months and possibly longer. The hearings will be open to the public and broadcast through online streaming once they finally get under way.
For now, there is still no new date for the official start.
Pictured above: Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi and Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga.
Image source: Rhodes University
