Ramaphosa open to extending Madlanga Commission as delays pile up

President Cyril Ramaphosa has indicated that he is willing to grant the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry additional time if its members conclude they cannot complete their work within the current deadline.

Speaking to journalists on Monday during the Chris Hani Regional Volunteers Launch at Qamata Great Place in Cofimvaba, the president praised the commission’s progress and said he would carefully consider any request for more time should it become necessary.

The commission is currently expected to wrap up public hearings by 31 July, while its final report is due on 31 August after Ramaphosa previously approved an extension to its mandate earlier this year. The earlier extension was granted because of the large number of witnesses still scheduled to testify.

Despite the revised timetable, the inquiry continues to face significant obstacles that have raised doubts about whether it can complete its work on schedule.

Several important witnesses have been unable to appear, forcing repeated changes to the hearing programme.

One of the most closely watched witnesses, alleged cartel boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, has yet to testify after his scheduled appearance was postponed while plea negotiations with the National Prosecuting Authority continued. The delay has attracted widespread public attention because of Matlala’s central role in the commission’s investigations into alleged corruption within South Africa’s criminal justice system.

The inquiry has also been affected by the absence of Deputy Crime Intelligence head Major-General Feroz Khan, who remains unavailable after being hospitalised following a shooting in Johannesburg last month. North West businessman Suliman Carrim has likewise failed to appear before the commission despite being scheduled to testify on two occasions.

Logistical challenges, the broad scope of the investigation and health-related disruptions have further complicated efforts to keep proceedings on track, placing additional pressure on commissioners as the deadline approaches.

The Madlanga Commission was established to investigate allegations of criminality, political interference and corruption within South Africa’s criminal justice system following explosive claims made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi in 2025. Since beginning its work, the inquiry has heard evidence relating to alleged links between organised crime, senior police officials and political figures.

With several high-profile witnesses still expected to appear, attention is now turning to whether the commission will formally seek another extension to complete one of South Africa’s most significant corruption investigations in recent years.