Madlanga Commission to cost around R148m over six months

The commission, established by President Cyril Ramaphosa, will investigate allegations of corruption and collusion within the criminal justice system made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. 

The department will oversee the procurement process for the commission’s operations. 

It says that due to the timeframes involved, it has applied to the National Treasury for a deviation from standard procurement processes for the commission.

Briefing the media in Sandton on Monday afternoon, commission chair Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga confirmed that Mkhwanazi will be the first person consulted by the commission.

"Let me be open with the South African public and say that the imminent consultation I referred to will be with Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi,” Madlanga said.

Madlanga emphasised that while Mkhwanazi is the first to be consulted, it’s too early to say whether he will also be the first formal witness.

"Yes, because the terms of reference specifically mention Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi, people may assume he must be the first witness. Indications are that he may well be. 

"But we cannot tie ourselves to a definitive position that says, yes, he is going to be the first witness. That will depend on what the consultation and subsequent investigations yield.”

The commission is expected to begin its work in August and complete its investigation within six months.

"Just looking at the allegations made on the 6th of July, they seem to cover quite a wide spectrum. Consultations and investigations are likely to reveal much more than what was initially outlined,” Madlanga said.

"Whether or not we’ll be able to finalise our work within that period, all I can say is we will carry out our work guided by the terms of reference. If we don’t finish in time, the terms themselves make provision for us to apply for an extension,” he said.

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