The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System has postponed its hearings, originally scheduled for 1 September 2025.
Chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga stated that the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development had failed to deliver critical infrastructure, which had caused the delay.
Judicial Commission delays hearings over unmet commitments
In a statement on 20 August, the Commission announced that hearings would commence on 1 September. Based on clear commitments from the Department that all infrastructure would be in place.
Madlanga said the Department had failed to honour those commitments.
“But for the lack of the requirements that the Department has failed to procure, the Commission would otherwise have been ready to commence the hearings on 1 September,” he said.
Lost Time for Interim Report
The Commission expressed concern that much of the three months allocated for preparing and submitting an interim report has already passed without hearing a single witness.
“This is not of the Commission’s making,” Madlanga stressed.
New Date Pending
The Commission will announce a new start date once the Department procures all necessary infrastructure.
It assured the public that it is doing everything possible to ensure hearings begin without further delay.
“The first witness will take the stand as soon as possible after everything has been procured by the Department,” Madlanga said.
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