Madlanga commission stalls, minister acts

Delay due to key ICT systems not being ready

- HOPE NTANZI AND SIYABONGA SITHOLE

JUSTICE and and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi says Deputy Director-General Jabu Hlatshwayo has been suspended following critical failures that led to delays in the commencement of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

Kubayi confirmed during a media briefing yesterday that Hlatshwayo, who is responsible for ICT in the Department of Justice, was suspended with immediate effect pending a full investigation and disciplinary process.

She added that President Cyril Ramaphosa had also delegated powers to her to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the department's Director-General, Advocate Doc Mashabane, due to the lapses that resulted in the commission being unable to begin hearings on September 1 as originally planned.

The Madlanga Commission had earlier announced its hearings, set to begin on September 1, would no longer commence on that date. This was due to delays in the procurement of essential infrastructure by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System (the Madlanga Commission) said the delay was beyond its control and stemmed from unmet commitments by the department, which had previously assured the commission that all necessary infrastructure would be procured in time.