Madlanga Commission Receives Extension
President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended the period for the Madlanga Commission to complete its work and submit its final report. The commission, which was established to investigate allegations made by Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on July 6, 2025, will now submit a second interim report by May 29, 2026, and a final report on August 31, 2026.
Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga chairs the commission, which resumed its hearings in January 2026 after submitting its first interim report on December 17, 2025. The extension was granted following a request from the commission, citing the number of witnesses still needing to appear.
During the hearings, it has been revealed that Medicare24 was awarded an irregular R360 million tender by the South African Police Service in June 2024. Evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson opposed a postponement application filed by the lawyers of Suleiman Carrim, indicating that there are serious concerns regarding the integrity of the tender process.
Chaskalson stated, “There is no innocent explanation for just overlooking the fact that more than R2 million beyond what you have disclosed also happened to be paid.” This highlights the ongoing scrutiny of financial transactions linked to the case.
Rafik Bhana, another key figure in the hearings, remarked, “The documents look like this, intense line items of hundreds and hundreds, if not thousands of transactions.” This indicates the complexity and scale of the investigation.
The commission continues to examine allegations affecting the integrity of the criminal justice system, making recommendations regarding the employment status and possible suspension of certain individuals involved.
As the commission moves forward, observers are keenly awaiting the upcoming reports, which are expected to shed more light on the unfolding situation. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full implications of the findings and any potential actions that may follow.
