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Illness Delays Testimony of Crime Intelligence Boss at Madlanga Commission
Commission Resumes Without Key Witness
The Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality is set to resume on Monday, but without one of its most anticipated witnesses. Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo, South Africa’s head of Crime Intelligence, will not be taking the stand after falling ill earlier this month.
Khumalo was due to continue his testimony at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College but began feeling unwell shortly after arriving. Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola later confirmed that Khumalo was receiving medical attention and was in good spirits, though his return date to the commission remains uncertain.
Sensitive Hearings Go Behind Closed Doors
The commission’s spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, announced that the hearings will resume on 13 October, though not in the public eye. Evidence leaders have applied for the next round of sessions to be held in camera, meaning the media and general public will be excluded.
Michaels explained that the decision is based on the highly sensitive nature of the evidence to be presented. The inquiry will proceed privately until the chair, retired Judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga, determines that public participation can safely resume.
Still, Michaels reassured South Africans that the commission’s broader commitment to transparency and accountability remains intact. If circumstances change, the public and press will be informed.
What the Madlanga Commission Is Probing
The Madlanga Commission was established to investigate political interference, corruption, and criminal activity within South Africa’s criminal justice and policing systems. Its mandate reflects deep concerns about the erosion of trust in the country’s law enforcement institutions, from allegations of internal sabotage to political manipulation of intelligence structures.
The commission’s proceedings have drawn national attention because they touch the most delicate parts of state security: who controls intelligence, and who benefits from that control.
The Road Ahead
While Khumalo’s absence delays testimony from one of the key figures in South African policing, the inquiry continues to unpack years of alleged misconduct that have weakened faith in the system.
The decision to move temporarily behind closed doors has sparked curiosity but also understanding. Some analysts note that sensitive intelligence evidence must be handled carefully to avoid compromising ongoing investigations or national security.
For now, the public will have to wait for the next official update. The hope is that when the commission reopens its doors, it will bring South Africans closer to the clarity and accountability they’ve long demanded from the institutions meant to protect them.
Also read: EFF Accuses AmaPanyaza of Being a ‘Jobs-for-Votes’ Scheme After Legal Claim
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: News24
