Madlanga Commission to hear Witness X's testimony in-camera

Witness X’s testimony will be heard in-camera before the Madlanga Commission on Thursday and Friday.

This follows an agreement reached by the commission, evidence leaders and an attorney representing two media houses.

Earlier this week, an attorney representing News24 and Daily Maverick appeared before the commission, confirming that the media outlets would oppose any in-camera hearings.

Madlanga Commission chief evidence leader, Advocate Matthew Chaskalson, said that Witness X’s testimony over the next two days concerned matters of active and ongoing police investigations.

"When the police are at an advance stage of investigations, one can’t ventilate the content of those investigations publicly without running the risk of compromising those investigations and that’s the unfortunate situation we find ourselves in at the moment."

Chaskalson said that going forward, the commission would provide a 72-hour notice prior to an application for in-camera hearings.

"There will not be any in-camera witnesses called without a 72-hour notice to the public, so that if anyone wants to object they can do so."