Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has announced that Cabinet has officially welcomed the establishment of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is set to investigate deep-rooted criminality, political interference, and corruption within South Africa’s criminal justice system.
The commission was sparked by explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who recently claimed that elements within the state had actively interfered in high-level investigations, compromised prosecutions, and manipulated policing operations for political ends.
Speaking during a post-Cabinet briefing, Ntshavheni said the inquiry affirms President Cyril Ramaphosa’s commitment to restoring integrity and public trust in law enforcement and prosecutorial institutions. “This is not just about responding to the allegations,” she noted. “It’s about ensuring justice structures are beyond manipulation and truly serve the people.”
The Madlanga Commission, chaired by retired Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, will have wide-ranging powers to summon witnesses, access classified reports, and scrutinize internal communications within key institutions like the police, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and the intelligence services.
As confidence in the justice system has eroded over the years amid scandal and state capture revelations, the inquiry is being viewed as a critical test of the government’s resolve to confront systemic rot—and deliver consequences. South Africans will be watching closely to see if this commission brings truth, accountability, and long-awaited reform to the core of the country’s justice machinery.
