President Cyril Ramaphosa testifying towards the end of the Zondo Commission. As the deadline looms for the Madlanga Commission, the writer decries the fact that Ramaphosa has not been called in to testify before retired Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, and argues that without his critical testimony the commission's final report will be incomplete.
As the Madlanga Commission hurtles towards its final deadline of 16 November 2026, a dark cloud of suspicion hangs over its legacy. For just under a year, the commission has meticulously laid bare the rot within our criminal justice system. Testimony has revealed how sophisticated criminal syndicates allegedly infiltrated the highest echelons of the South African Police Service (SAPS), the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and even the State Investigative and Intelligence Agencies.
The commission's work has been commendable, leading to referrals for criminal investigations and suspensions. The public has glimpsed into a world where crime cartels hold sway and law enforcement leaders are at war with one another. However, a glaring, gaping hole remains in the narrative: the testimony of the one person whose constitutional responsibilities place him at the very centre of this crisis – President Cyril Ramaphosa.
