The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System has moved to clarify that arrests stemming from its proceedings are carried out by police, not the commission itself.
Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels said the clarification was necessary following recent media reports referring to arrests made by the “Madlanga Task Team” or “Madlanga Commission Task Team”.
“This is likely to lead to the wrong perception that Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, or the commission he chairs, is arresting people,” Michaels said.
He explained that the task team conducting arrests is a SAPS unit established by Police National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola to investigate matters arising from the commission’s first interim report.
“The truth is that it is a SAPS task team that has been arresting people. Justice Madlanga is concerned by this possible perception, not least because the function of arresting people is at odds with the judicial function,” Michaels said.
Following discussions between the commission and SAPS, the police service has agreed to change the name of the task team. SAPS is expected to issue further communications on the matter.
The commission, commonly known as the Madlanga Commission, was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Public hearings continue on Tuesday at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Tshwane, where Tshwane Chief Financial Officer Gareth Mnisi is expected to testify.
