Probe into alleged police capture kicks off

The Madlanga Commission begins in Pretoria this week with sky high stakes for President Cyril Ramaphosa, the ANC and law enforcement agencies. The commission, which has been allocated a budget of R147.9m over six months, was established by Ramaphosa to probe explosive allegations of a sophisticated criminal syndicate that has allegedly infiltrated law enforcement and intelligence structures. The allegations were made public by Mkhwanazi who is expected to be the first witness to testify for five consecutive days from Wednesday. IoL reports that the inquiry’s terms of reference also include political interference and corruption within the criminal justice system. One of the key figures at the centre of the probe is the suspended Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu who was placed on special leave following allegations by Mkhwanazi that he had interfered with sensitive investigations. Mkhwanazi accused the former Minister of ordering the shutdown of the Political Killings Task Team, a directive he believes was meant to obstruct investigations into criminal networks with political connections.

The commission’s legal team is led by evidence leader Advocate Terry Motau SC and includes Advocates Matthew Chaskalson SC, Mahlape Sello SC, Adila Hassim SC, Lee Segeels-Ncube, Ofentse Mohlasedi and Thabang Pooe. Other key members include Advocates Sesi Baloyi SC and Sandile Khumalo SC, who serve as commissioners alongside Madlanga. Dr Nolitha Vukuza is the commission’s secretary and forensic auditor Dr Peter Goss is the chief investigator. The commission is expected to produce an interim report within three months and a final report after six months, though legal experts have expressed doubt it will complete its work within this period, according to IoL. Spokesperson Jeremy Michaels said significant progress has been made in setting up the necessary infrastructure, and streaming services will be available for public access in partnership with state and private broadcasters. However, some proceedings may not be entirely open to the public if classified information is being discussed. Chaskalson SC said the work of the commission was ‘unprecedented. The Sunday Times reports that he said some of the evidence it would gather would be from under­cover agents placed inside criminal syndicates by police ‘in their attempts to break the syndicates’. ‘If the identity of those people is disclosed, there is a very real risk they will be killed,’ he said. Chaskalson was explaining why some of the evidence would likely be heard in secret and may never be made public.