Madlanga Commission of Inquiry: Postponement of Hearings and Procurement Delays

Posted 31 August 2025 Written by Acts Online
Category Justice and Constitutional Development

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into allegations of criminality, political interference, and corruption in the criminal justice system has announced a postponement of its public hearings.

In terms of the Public Finance Management Act, No. 1 of 1999 (PFMA) and associated Supply Chain Management (SCM) policies, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development failed to finalize the procurement of vital infrastructure required for the Commission to function. The hearings, which were set to commence on 1 September 2025, have been delayed indefinitely to ensure compliance with the legal framework governing state procurement.

The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development confirmed on 26 August 2025 that it was “practically impossible” to intervene in the procurement process without compromising the requirements of the PFMA. Consequently, the following administrative actions have been taken:

  • The Department’s Director-General and the Deputy Director-General for ICT have been suspended pending an investigation.
  • The Minister has been delegated powers by President Cyril Ramaphosa to institute disciplinary proceedings regarding the procurement failures.
  • A new date for the hearings will be announced once all systems are fully operational.

Despite the delay in public hearings, the Commission has confirmed that preliminary work is ongoing. This includes interactions with witnesses and the preparation of evidence. The spokesperson for the Commission, Jeremy Michaels, indicated that the postponement is necessary to ensure that the infrastructure is robust enough to support the inquiry’s mandate.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: No direct individual obligations; impact is limited to the timeline for professional observation or participation in the inquiry proceedings.
  • For your business: Firms providing services to state organs must ensure strict adherence to Public Finance Management Act, No. 1 of 1999 protocols to avoid project delays or administrative fallout.
  • For your clients: Clients who are potential witnesses or affected parties should prepare for a revised timeline for testimony and submissions as the Commission resolves infrastructure constraints.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/in-the-spotlight-criminal-justice-system-commission-of-inquiry

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