Madlanga Commission of Inquiry: What to expect from the first public hearing

AS THE Madlanga Commission of Inquiry prepares to hold its first public hearing on Wednesday at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria, experts and analysts are weighing in on the potential implications of the investigation.

- RAPULA MOATSHE

The commission, led by retired Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, will investigate alleged corruption within the country's criminal justice system.

KwaZulu-Natal SAPS Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi is expected to be the first witness, testifying for three to four days.

Mkhwanazi made explosive allegations on July 6 about political interference in the criminal justice system, implicating Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Deputy SAPS Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya in allegedly conspiring to disband the political killings task team.

Mchunu and Sibiya have denied the claims.

Sibiya has since been suspended (asked to stay home) by National Police Commissioner General Fanie Masemola after losing a high court bid to overturn a decision to be placed on a leave of absence.

The commission will also examine 121 political killing dockets following a decision taken to return them to KwaZulu-Natal.

Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels said on Sunday that consultations with Mkhwanazi will continue over the next few days leading up to the first public hearing on Wednesday.

He confirmed that Mkhwanazi will be the commission's first witness, testifying for an anticipated three to four days or possibly longer.

Following Mkhwanazi's testimony, a lengthy list of other witnesses will take the stand, but due to security concerns, their identities will not be disclosed, according to Michaels.