The Madlanga Commission of inquiry moved into closed-door hearings this week, with proceedings disrupted after a fatal shooting linked to a key witness.

The commission began scheduled in-camera hearings on Monday, 5 October, to hear evidence unsuitable for public broadcast because of ongoing investigations and confidential material. Public hearings are expected to resume on 9 November after the 4 November local government elections.

Shooting disrupts Khan testimony

Major-General Feroz Khan, the suspended deputy head of Crime Intelligence, appeared remotely before the commission on Tuesday but his testimony was cut short after his uncle-in-law was shot dead hours earlier.

Preggy Padayachee was killed on the R21 near Griffiths Road in Ekurhuleni on Monday evening, 5 October, in what police suspect was a hit. Gauteng police are investigating cases of murder and attempted murder.

Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said preliminary information indicates Padayachee’s car broke down on the highway. When a friend and two others arrived to help, unknown gunmen opened fire. Padayachee died at the scene after losing control of his vehicle while trying to escape. One person was wounded and another escaped unharmed. No arrests have been made.

Commission spokesperson Advocate Phila Michaels announced the postponement of Khan’s testimony on Tuesday morning.

“Due to the death of a family member resulting from a shooting incident on the R21 in Gauteng last night, Mr Khan is not in a position to testify today,” Michaels said. “The commission has therefore postponed the testimony of Mr Khan to a date which has yet to be determined.”

Khan’s appearance followed his failure to attend proceedings on 28 September, after which commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga directed that criminal charges be pursued for what he described as disregard of the subpoena.

Witness S protection order

On Thursday, the commission dealt with an application concerning “Witness S,” who had been scheduled to testify on Wednesday.

Justice Madlanga ordered that Witness S testify in camera on a date to be determined and prohibited publication of the witness’s identity, occupation or any identifying details.

A formal ruling recorded on Friday required the proceedings and related transcripts, recordings and documents to remain confidential, with attendance limited to the commissioners, evidence leaders, designated legal representatives and selected officials.

Previous public testimony

The commission, which investigates criminality, political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system, has heard explosive testimony in recent months about alleged corruption within the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) and its probe into Crime Intelligence.

Evidence in July revealed that IDAC’s Crime Intelligence case collapsed after the directorate’s own officials were heard on tape disputing a statement their chief investigator filed in court. The National Prosecuting Authority provisionally withdrew corruption charges against seven senior Crime Intelligence officials.

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has already received two interim reports from the commission. The final report on completion of the inquiry is due on 25 January 2027, following an extension which the president granted.

The commission’s second interim report, submitted in May, recommended disciplinary proceedings and criminal investigations against several individuals, including Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, Sergeant Fannie Nkosi and Brown Mogotsi.

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