Parliament’s justice committee concerned about delays in getting Madlanga Commission underway

CAPE TOWN - Parliament’s justice committee says it’s concerned about the delays in getting the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry off the ground.

Committee chairperson Xola Nqola said it’s particularly worrying that civil servants appeared to have caused the stall.

The commission, led by the recently retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, was set to start hearings into alleged police corruption and political interference on Monday (1 September) but announced on Tuesday that procurement delays meant it could not start working.

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The justice department’s accounting officer, Doc Mashabane, was one of two officials who have taken the fall for the procurement hiccups that have now put the brakes on the Madlanga Commission.

While Justice Minister Mmamaloko Kubayi says she can’t interfere in procurement processes, some issues could have been avoided.

The deputy director-general for ICT services, Jabulani Hlatshwayo, has now also been placed on immediate suspension pending a full investigation and disciplinary process.

Nqola said it was concerning that the delay appeared to have been caused by public servants not executing their responsibilities.

Parliament has appealed to the minister to closely monitor the progress in ensuring the commission receives the resources it needs to ensure it could commence speedily.

Meanwhile, Parliament’s own inquiry into the allegations made by the KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, is also yet to get down to business.