The Presidency has confirmed that the interim report of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry will not be made public, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation into allegations of criminality and corruption within South Africa’s criminal justice system.
The report is expected to be submitted to President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya announced the decision, explaining that the interim status of the report and the Commission’s need to hear additional evidence necessitates keeping the document confidential.
According to Magwenya, the interim report is intended to provide an update on the Commission’s progress rather than final conclusions. The report comes as the Commission has completed phase one of its hearings, which focused on examining the main allegations brought before the inquiry.
Magwenya said that some witnesses who have already testified before the Commission are likely to be recalled as the investigation continues, suggesting that new evidence or the need for clarification may require additional testimony from key figures.
The President established the Madlanga Commission in July 2025 following explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mkhwanazi accused Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of political interference in investigations, particularly regarding the disbandment of the SAPS Political Killings Task Team in KwaZulu-Natal.
The allegations prompted Ramaphosa to place Mchunu on special leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
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Since beginning its public hearings in September, the Commission has heard damning testimony from multiple witnesses. The evidence presented has detailed criminal networks with allegations that senior police officials collaborated with underworld figures
There have also been numerous claims of systematic political meddling in police investigations and evidence of criminal syndicates involving politicians, police officers, and businesspeople infiltrating law enforcement structures.
Mkhwanazi served as the Commission’s first witness, presenting evidence to support his claims that the political killings task team was disbanded because it had uncovered high-level criminal networks.
Chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, the commission was initially expected to submit reports after three and six months of operation. The current interim report is the first formal progress assessment since the inquiry began its substantive work.
The commission’s findings and recommendations are not legally binding, leaving Ramaphosa to determine what action will be taken based on the evidence and conclusions presented.
The commission will resume it’s work in January 2026.
