Ramaphosa Allows Immediate Criminal Referrals Amid Madlanga Report Secrecy

Key Takeaways:

• President Cyril Ramaphosa is not legally obligated to release the Madlanga Commission’s interim report, but will make the full and final report public.
• The decision to withhold the interim report is to allow Ramaphosa to get up to speed on the commission’s findings and to avoid debating "half-baked" information.
• The commission is investigating allegations of political interference in crime fighting and the infiltration of criminal syndicates in law enforcement.
• The inquiry has heard from several witnesses, including Minister Senzo Mchunu, who is alleged to have disbanded a task team to shield politically connected members of a criminal syndicate from prosecution.
• The commission has the power to refer matters for immediate criminal investigation and prosecution, and Ramaphosa is keen for the commission to pursue criminal charges.

Introduction to the Madlanga Commission
The Madlanga Commission, established to investigate allegations of political interference in crime fighting and the infiltration of criminal syndicates in law enforcement, has been making headlines in recent weeks. The commission, led by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, has been hearing testimony from various witnesses, including high-ranking government officials and law enforcement personnel. The inquiry has been probing the "veracity, scope, and extent" of the allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, and has uncovered some disturbing evidence of corruption and collusion within the law enforcement agencies.

The Decision to Withhold the Interim Report
On Monday, the Presidency announced that President Cyril Ramaphosa would not be releasing the commission’s interim report, which was due to be submitted on December 17, 2025. According to Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, the decision to withhold the report was made to allow Ramaphosa to get up to speed on the commission’s findings and to avoid debating "half-baked" information. Magwenya explained that some witnesses would be called back to continue their testimony, and that the commission’s work was still ongoing. He emphasized that the final report would be made public, and that Ramaphosa would follow the commission’s guidance on areas of national security sensitivity.

The Commission’s Findings So Far
The commission has heard from several witnesses, including Minister Senzo Mchunu, who is alleged to have disbanded the Political Killings Task Team to shield politically connected members of a criminal syndicate from prosecution. Mchunu testified that he had disbanded the team due to concerns about human rights abuses, but the commission has also heard evidence of collusion between law enforcement officials and drug cartels. Witnesses have described how compromised relationships between law enforcement and organized crime syndicates have enabled these groups to operate with relative impunity, eroding the integrity of the criminal justice system and public confidence in the police.

The Commission’s Powers and Ramaphosa’s Expectations
The commission has the power to refer matters for immediate criminal investigation and prosecution, and Ramaphosa has expressed his expectation that the commission will exercise this power. Magwenya stated that Ramaphosa is "quite keen" for the commission to pursue criminal charges, and that this does not have to wait for the interim or final report. The commission’s terms of reference also grant it the power to conduct search-and-seizure operations and to summon witnesses, subject to applicable law.

Possible Extension and Legal Challenges
The Presidency has indicated that it is open to extending the commission’s mandate, particularly as several witnesses have yet to appear before it. Magwenya stated that Justice Madlanga would need to make a proposal for an extension, which would then be considered by Ramaphosa. On the possibility of the interim report being taken on review or legally challenged, Magwenya described such litigation as "frivolous and unfortunate", given Ramaphosa’s undertaking to release the final report. He emphasized that the final report would be the most consequential, and that litigating over the interim report would be a waste of time.

Conclusion and Next Steps
In conclusion, the Madlanga Commission’s inquiry into allegations of political interference in crime fighting and the infiltration of criminal syndicates in law enforcement has uncovered some disturbing evidence of corruption and collusion. While the Presidency has decided to withhold the interim report, the final report will be made public, and Ramaphosa has expressed his expectation that the commission will pursue criminal charges. The commission’s work is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what further revelations will come to light. As the inquiry continues, it is clear that the Madlanga Commission’s findings will have significant implications for the criminal justice system and public confidence in law enforcement.