Madlanga Commission's interim report withheld from public

THE interim report of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is expected to be handed over to President Cyril Ramaphosa today following a three-month public hearing, will not be released publicly.

- RAPULA MOATSHE

However, the final report will be released to the public with the commission advising Ramaphosa on areas that "are of national security sensitivity and how those areas will need to be managed".

This was confirmed by Ramaphosa's spokesperson Vincent Magwenya during a media briefing on Monday in Pretoria.

Magwenya said the reasoning for not releasing the interim report to the public is because some of the witnesses that have already appeared before the commission are going to be asked return to give evidence.

"Some (witnesses) have evidence located in specific areas but not as broad as it was meant to be. So, those witnesses are still going to be given a chance to return to the commission and give the evidence. So, it is not going to be helpful to start chewing and debating on something that is half-baked," he said.

He said the interim report will help Ramaphosa to get up to speed with the commission's work as he has not had the luxury of time to follow the commission proceedings daily.