The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, commonly known as the Madlanga Commission, has moved to clarify that arrests made as a result of revelations during proceedings are carried out by the police and not the commission itself.
Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels explained that the commission was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate the allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
This while the task team appointed to investigate matters arising from the commission’s first interim report was established by Police National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola.
“The commission is making this clarification because, recently, there have been media reports to the effect that the ‘Madlanga Task Team’ or ‘Madlanga Commission Task Team’ has arrested certain people.
“This is likely to lead to the wrong perception that Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, or the commission he chairs, is arresting people.
“The truth is that it is a SAPS task team that has been arresting people. Justice Madlanga is concerned by this possible perception, not least because the function of arresting people is at odds with the judicial function.
“Following interactions between the commission and SAPS, the latter has agreed that the name of the task team will be changed. The SAPS will issue further communications in this regard,” Michaels said.
The commission’s public hearings continue today at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Tshwane where the city’s Chief Financial Officer Gareth Mnisi is the witness on the stand. – SAnews.gov.za
