Madlanga Commission: New Reporting Deadlines Gazetted
Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: A presidential proclamation has been issued to clarify and extend the reporting deadlines for the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into the criminal justice system.
In terms of Proclamation No. 312, published in Government Gazette No. 54315 on 12 March 2026, the President has amended the Commission’s terms of reference originally established in July 2025. The amendment formalises the schedule for the submission of both interim and final findings regarding the state of South Africa’s criminal justice system.
The revised schedule mandates the following reporting milestones:
- A second interim report must be submitted to the President on or before 29 May 2026.
- The final report, containing the Commission’s full findings and recommendations, must be submitted by 31 August 2026.
The proclamation further clarifies that 17 September 2025, or any such period as the President may determine, marks the commencement date for the calculation of these revised timeframes. This extension provides the Commission with additional time to conclude its investigations into systemic efficiencies and challenges within the justice sector.
Click here to download the Presidential Proclamation (Gazette 54315).
What this means for you, your business, or your clients
- For yourself: No direct individual compliance obligations; maintain awareness of the 29 May 2026 interim report date for professional insights into potential systemic shifts.
- For your business: Legal practices and compliance departments should prepare for potential procedural changes following the final report in August 2026.
- For your clients: Advise clients with interests in criminal justice reform that final recommendations and subsequent legislative action are unlikely to commence before late 2026.
Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/criminal-justice-system-inquiry-madlanga-commission-reporting-deadlines-clarified