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Tambo Warns Police Corruption Inquiry May Fail Without Evidence
A Nation Demands Answers
South Africa’s sweeping inquiry into police and judicial corruption is under the spotlight again, and this time, the warning comes from someone who carries a name steeped in the country’s struggle history. Nomathemba Tambo, former South African ambassador to the UK and daughter of liberation icon Oliver Tambo, has cautioned that the Madlanga Commission may fail to deliver justice unless it backs its claims with solid evidence.
The commission, appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, was formed to investigate alleged corruption within the police and justice system after explosive claims from Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi in July. Mkhwanazi accused a powerful criminal network of infiltrating the upper ranks of law enforcement and intelligence structures, an allegation that rattled the country’s already fragile faith in its institutions.
“We Need Proof, Not Noise”
Speaking in an interview, Nomathemba Tambo called for a pragmatic and disciplined approach. “Something like this requires us to peel back the layers and clearly understand what happened, why it happened, who was involved, and most importantly, what evidence supports these allegations,” she said.
Her comments come at a time when South Africans are increasingly sceptical of commissions of inquiry that promise change but often end without decisive outcomes. “The ordinary South African is confused by the contradictory information streaming from YouTube, news channels, and various commissions,” she added. “It’s essential to cut through the noise and get to the truth before any decisions can be made.”
Balancing Secrecy and Trust
Legal analyst Lucky Magagula echoed her concern, noting that the inquiry is handling extraordinarily sensitive material involving senior police officers and high-ranking politicians. He confirmed that while some testimony will be heard privately to protect key state institutions like the judiciary and the National Prosecuting Authority, eventual transparency will be crucial.
“Several witnesses, including Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi, have already indicated their willingness to provide further evidence,” Magagula said. “But the public needs to see progress. Without visible proof and accountability, confidence in the justice system will not recover.”
The commission’s challenge is walking that thin line between protecting state integrity and ensuring the public sees justice being done.
Political Undercurrents and Parallel Inquiries
The Madlanga Commission is not working in isolation. Parliament’s ad hoc committee on police corruption is running a parallel investigation into political interference within the South African Police Service (SAPS).
In recent hearings, Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya denied any wrongdoing following claims that he undermined a police task team probing political killings. Mkhwanazi alleged that Sibiya had transferred over 120 case dockets from the task team to SAPS headquarters, effectively halting progress.
The Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, is expected to testify before Parliament’s committee next week, a moment that could either clarify the web of accusations or deepen the confusion surrounding it.
Truth, Trust, and the Test Ahead
For Nomathemba Tambo, this is about more than one commission or one headline. Her warning taps into a broader frustration: South Africans have seen too many inquiries that begin with bold promises and end in silence.
This time, she insists, must be different. “We need facts. We need proof. And we need honesty about where things went wrong,” she said.
The Madlanga Commission’s work may yet uncover the truth about corruption in South Africa’s justice system. But as Tambo reminds the nation, without evidence, the effort risks becoming another chapter in a long book of unanswered questions.
Also read: Sibiya Denies ‘Rogue Officer’ Label Amid Explosive SAPS Inquiry
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: EWN
