The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, widely known as the Madlanga Commission, has submitted its second interim report to President Cyril Ramaphosa as it continues to investigate allegations of corruption and interference within South Africa’s law enforcement agencies.
The report was submitted on 29 May 2026, marking a significant milestone in the commission’s work since it resumed public hearings earlier this year. The commission is chaired by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga and is assisted by senior counsel Adv Sesi Baloyi SC and Adv Sandile Khumalo SC. It was established by President Ramaphosa in July 2025 following allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi regarding criminality, political interference and corruption within the criminal justice system.
After submitting its first interim report in December 2025, the commission resumed its work on 5 January 2026 and began public hearings later that month. Since then, it has heard evidence from 32 witnesses over 64 days of hearings involving the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) and the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD).
The commission’s mandate was extended by the President in March this year, moving the completion date from 17 March to 31 August 2026. The extension required the submission of a second interim report by 29 May and a final report by the end of August.
Public hearings are set to resume on Monday, 1 June 2026, with further testimony relating to the Port Shepstone drug bust investigation.
Several witnesses who have previously testified before the commission are expected to return to the witness stand, including Senzo Mchunu, Major-General Lesetja Senona and suspended EMPD Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi. The commission has also subpoenaed a number of new witnesses to appear in the coming weeks.
According to commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels, the inquiry will continue running its first two phases simultaneously. The first phase focuses on hearing allegations, while the second phase allows implicated individuals to respond to accusations and present their version of events.
An announcement on the commission’s third phase is expected in due course. That phase will see Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi, Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo and other key figures return to provide further testimony before the inquiry concludes its work later this year.
Meanwhile, the presidency has confirmed receipt of the interim report.
“President Ramaphosa has expressed his appreciation for the interim report as well as his expectation that the Commission will, as part of its terms of reference, refer actions thought to be criminal acts for prosecution”, said spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.
