Commission of Inquiry Into General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s Allegations To Begin in August
- The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry is expected to begin in August, and the Commission's chief, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, is ready to get the ball rolling
- He announced that consultations will begin before the Commission begins investigating the allegations KZN police commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made
- The Commission is going to take place in Gauteng, and the process of securing a building in the province is underway
- Briefly News spoke to crime and policing expert Dr Tinyiku Ngoveni about the Commission of Inquiry
Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, has covered policy changes, cabinet reshuffles, the State of the Nation Address, Parliamentary Proceedings, and politician-related news, as well as elections, at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News for over seven years.
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JOHANNESBURG — Public hearings for the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry to investigate the allegations KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made on 6 July 2025 will begin in August.
Addressing the media on 28 July 2025, Acting Deputy Chief of Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga said that the Commission is in the process of procuring a building for the Commission of Inquiry, which President Cyril Ramaphosa established. The public hearings will take place in August 2025. Madlanga said that Sandile Khumalo SC and Sesi Baloyi SC will be his co-commissioners. Madlanga also appointed Terry Motau as chief evidence leader and Dr. Nolitha Vukuza as secretary.
Who will be investigated?
Madlanga said that the South African Police Service, the National Prosecuting Authority, the judiciary, the State Security Agency, the Department of Correctional Services, the Gauteng metro police, and any institution in the criminal justice system will be investigated.
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Madlanga also said that the Commission will consult with Mkhwanazi, who made the allegations against the criminal justice system. He remarked that the criminal justice system will be investigated to uncover any infiltration of law enforcement, intelligence, and associated institutions by criminal syndicates.
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What did Mkhwanazi allege?
Mkhwanazi accused Senzo Mchunu and Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya of interfering with the work of the KwaZulu-Natal Political Killings Task Team. He accused them of disbanding it because it was investigating a criminal syndicate that involved police officers, politicians, parliamentarians, members of the judiciary, and prosecutors.
Briefly News speaks to crime expert
Criminologist and policing expert Dr Tinyiku Ngoveni spoke to Briefly News about the Commission of Inquiry and shared his views:
"The commission, just like other commissions, is very significant because it has its mandate and powers a little bit different from other criminal justice sectors. Through the commission, the judge can subpoena a member to testify without the right to remain silent," he said.
"Since it happens in a public domain, the proceedings and outcome also assist South Africans to realise what was happening in our country underground, and also to show them the types of leaders they have, something that we have seen during the Zondo, Farlam commission, and others," he said.
What you need to know about Mkhwanazi's allegations
- Senzo Mchunu initially denied allegations that Mkhwanazi made that he was linked to businessman Brown Mogotsi, who allegedly interfered with police operations
- Mchunu later admitted that he knew Mogotsi and said that he was his comrade
- Sibiya welcomed the Commission of Inquiry and said it would allow him to clear his name
- This was after National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola requested that he go on a leave of absence
- The Democratic Alliance welcomed the Commission of Inquiry, while the Mkhonto Wesizwe Party slammed Ramaphosa for establishing it
How does a Commission of Inquiry work?
A commission of inquiry is a fact-finding body set up to investigate serious allegations and provide advice to the government. It is established under Section 84(2)(f) of the Constitution, which gives the President the power to appoint such commissions. Their work is further guided by the Commissions Act of 1947.
These commissions gather information and make recommendations to the executive branch of government. They do not have the power to make binding decisions like a court does. A well-known example is the Zondo Commission, along with others like the Seriti Commission (Arms Deal), the Marikana Commission, and the Mokgoro Commission.
While commissions may look similar to court proceedings, often led by judges or former judges, with legal representatives and witnesses testifying under oath, they are not criminal trials. A court ruling must be followed unless it is overturned on appeal or judicial review. A commission of inquiry's findings are not binding.
Senzo Mchunu welcomes the Commission of Inquiry
In a related article, Briefly News reported that Senzo Mchunu welcomed the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry president Cyril Ramaphosa established to investigate the allegations Mkhwanazi made against him. He spoke out after Ramaphosa placed him on leave.
Mchunu said that it was unfair for him to be judged on allegations alone without being able to tell his side of the story. He said that the Commission of Inquiry would allow him to prove his innocence.
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Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
