South Africa’s judicial inquiry into alleged criminal infiltration of the police and justice system is due to deliver its final report on 31 August, closing an investigation that has already produced dismissals, arrests and the collapse of a separate prosecution.
The Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 13 July 2025.
What prompted the inquiry?
It followed allegations made a week earlier by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who said at a press conference that a criminal syndicate had infiltrated law enforcement and intelligence structures, including the South African Police Service, the National Prosecuting Authority and metro police departments.
Mkhwanazi further alleged that the police minister at the time, Senzo Mchunu, had interfered with sensitive investigations and colluded with business figures to disband the KwaZulu-Natal Political Killings Task Team. Mchunu has denied wrongdoing.
What has the commission found so far?
The commission submitted an interim report on 17 December 2025. The Presidency said Ramaphosa accepted its recommendations and that referrals were made where the commission found prima facie evidence of wrongdoing.
Those referrals name five police officials and six current or former employees of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, and were directed to the police service, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate or the municipality. A prima facie referral is a recommendation that a matter be investigated. It is not a finding of guilt, and none of those named has been convicted.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Mkhwanazi allegations | 6 July 2025 |
| Commission established | 13 July 2025 |
| Hearings open | 17 September 2025 |
| Interim report | 17 December 2025 |
| Final report due | 31 August 2026 |
What is the Madlanga Commission?
The Madlanga Commission is the informal name for South Africa’s Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System. President Cyril Ramaphosa established it on 13 July 2025 after KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleged that a criminal syndicate had infiltrated the police, prosecution service and other justice institutions. It is chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, assisted by advocates Sesi Baloyi SC and Sandile Khumalo SC. Public hearings opened on 17 September 2025 with Mkhwanazi’s testimony. An interim report was delivered on 17 December 2025 and its recommendations accepted by the President. The final report is due on 31 August 2026. A parallel parliamentary ad hoc committee examined the same allegations.
What has changed on the ground?
Two senior officers have been dismissed: Brigadier Rachel Matjeng and Major General Lesetja Senona, provincial head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in KwaZulu-Natal. Four further people were arrested in Johannesburg on 8 July by a task team working with the commission.
Daily Maverick reported that criminal charges against Crime Intelligence officials were withdrawn in July. Andrea Johnson, who led the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption, left her post with immediate effect after Ramaphosa agreed to waive her notice period. Her evidence to the commission was due to resume on 3 August.
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Sources for this report
The Redline News Desk
The Redline News desk files and edits world reporting. Every story carries the sources it was built from, and corrections are published on the story itself.
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