ICT Failures Force Delay of Madlanga Commission as Justice Minister Suspends Senior Official

The long-awaited Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into criminality and political interference in South Africa’s justice system has been hit with an embarrassing delay. Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi confirmed on Tuesday that Deputy Director-General Jabu Hlatshwayo, responsible for ICT in the department, has been suspended with immediate effect after failures that left the commission unable to start hearings on September 1 as planned.

Kubayi also revealed that President Cyril Ramaphosa has given her the authority to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the department’s Director-General, Advocate Doc Mashabane, for his role in the lapses.

“The President has delegated to me the powers to institute disciplinary proceedings against the Director-General. This decision has been communicated to him,” Kubayi said.

Why the Commission Couldn’t Start

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, chaired by Justice Madlanga, announced that the delay was beyond its control. The problem, they said, was the Department of Justice’s failure to deliver critical ICT infrastructure on time, despite repeated commitments.

According to Kubayi, secure platforms for document sharing, searchable forensic databases, cybersecurity systems, and integrated communication tools were not ready. Without these, commissioners could not safely exchange documents or prepare witnesses.

“It became clear that intervention at the last moment would have violated PFMA and supply chain rules, and we had to concede,” she explained.

Commissions Under Pressure

The Madlanga Commission, formally established in July, is tasked with probing allegations of corruption and political interference in the criminal justice system, first raised publicly by Lt-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi in July. It is one of two new inquiries alongside the Khampepe Commission, both officially enabled in August.

The Madlanga hearings are set to take place at Justice College in Pretoria, while the Khampepe Commission will sit at Sci-Bono in Johannesburg. Kubayi emphasised that both venues are publicly owned, a shift away from costly private rentals.

She added that commissioners, investigators, and support staff have already been appointed, with witness protection protocols being finalised based on lessons from the Zondo Commission.

Systems Still Being Rolled Out

Kubayi said progress is being made, with laptops delivered and forensic data storage, secure email, and cybersecurity systems now at procurement award stage. She promised that the outstanding ICT systems would be finalised within days, allowing the commission to begin its work soon.

“We remain committed to ensuring that the commissions begin their work without further delays and to strengthening operational efficiency to prevent a repeat of these setbacks,” she said.

Public Reaction and Political Stakes

The suspension of senior officials highlights long-standing concerns about inefficiency inside the Department of Justice. Social media reaction to the delay has been scathing, with many South Africans expressing frustration that yet another inquiry is bogged down before it even starts.

Analysts say the stakes are high. The Madlanga Commission is expected to shine a light on some of the most serious allegations of corruption in policing and prosecution. A false start risks undermining public trust before the hearings even open.

For Kubayi, the swift suspension signals an attempt to restore credibility and show accountability. For the commissions, the real test will come when hearings finally begin – and whether the state delivers the resources to keep them running.

{Source: IOL}

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