Justice Department blamed for Madlanga inquiry delay

THE Justice Department is expected to issue a formal explanation this week after a significant delay was announced to the highly anticipated Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into political interference in the police.

- SIFISO MAHLANGU

Originally scheduled to begin public hearings on September 1, the commission revealed that it will not be able to proceed as planned due to a failure by the department to secure critical infrastructure on time.

In a statement released on Monday, the commission, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, expressed disappointment over the setback, which it said was beyond its control.

“The commission regrets to inform the public that hearings scheduled to commence on 1 September will not go ahead as planned,” the statement read. “This delay is a direct result of the Department of Justice's failure to procure and install essential infrastructure required for the proper functioning of the commission”