One year of the Madlanga Commission: hearings, evidence and ripple effects across the justice system

The Madlanga Commission reached its one-year milestone on 17 September after 174 days of hearings and testimony from 110 witnesses, the inquiry said.

Scope and mandate

The commission, chaired by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, was established after allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi during a 6 July media briefing. Its mandate is to investigate whether criminal syndicates, including drug cartels, have infiltrated or exerted undue influence over key institutions responsible for policing, prosecution, intelligence, corrections and justice.

Institutions under scrutiny

The inquiry has examined a wide range of agencies, including the South African Police Service, the Hawks, the National Prosecuting Authority, the State Security Agency, metropolitan police departments in Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane, the Department of Correctional Services and the Judiciary.

Volume of evidence

The commission said its work has produced a substantial evidentiary trail. By 16 September testimony had generated 26,352 pages of transcripts, while documentary evidence totalled 105,282 pages across 750 files or bundles.

Who has testified

Witnesses have included police and prosecuting authorities, metropolitan police staff, anti-corruption officials, members of Parliament, a Cabinet minister, private individuals and experts helping develop possible institutional reforms. The commission provided the following breakdown:

• 36 SAPS officers
• 25 Hawks officers
• 4 JMPD officers
• 8 EMPD and City of Ekurhuleni staff
• 6 TMPD officers
• 2 Gauteng Traffic Department officers
• 7 IDAC and NPA officials
• 5 IPID officials
• 2 Members of Parliament
• 1 Cabinet Minister
• 11 Private Individuals
• 3 Experts

Immediate consequences and legal caution

The commission said a number of people who appeared before it have since been arrested, charged, brought before courts, suspended or resigned. The inquiry emphasised that these developments do not amount to findings of guilt by the commission and that criminal allegations remain subject to due legal process.

Risks to witnesses

The commission paid tribute to Marius van der Merwe, who testified as Witness D and was assassinated on 5 December 2025 in front of his family. The commission described his death as a reminder of the dangers faced by people who provide evidence.

Public engagement and legal challenges

Public interest has been reflected in the commission’s intake: its hotline received 1,894 calls and the inquiry received 4,548 emails. The commission assessed that 78% of calls and 72% of emails fell outside its mandate.

The inquiry has faced legal challenges in the High Court: three applications were brought, of which one was dismissed and two were withdrawn. A recusal application against an Evidence Leader was also dismissed.

Next phase

The commission said its work is not yet finished. It will continue examining evidence and developing recommendations on possible reforms to criminal justice institutions and will continue its work “without fear, favour or prejudice“.

For further information the commission’s interim statement and the record of hearings provide the source material for these facts.