Ramaphosa to wait for reports from inquiries into claims of interference in justice system before commenting

President Cyril Ramaphosa says he won’t be drawn into prematurely weighing in on revelations made at the Madlanga Commission or Parliament's ad hoc committee probing claims of interference in the justice system.

Ramaphosa’s caution comes after police minister on special leave, Senzo Mchunu, told MPs last week that he briefed the president about his contentious decision to disband the political killings task team.

Mchunu claimed that the president agreed.

This is despite earlier testimony by National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola before the same sitting, where he told policymakers the contrary.

Amid speculation of what he knew and when, Ramaphosa has called on the parallel structures to be given room to complete their work.

He was speaking in his capacity as African National Congress (ANC) president during a party visit to the Soshanguve home of Tlou Cholo, who was conferred the Isithwalandwe/Seaparankwe Award, on his 100th birthday on Monday night.

"As the person who appointed the commission, I will await the moment when the proceedings end and when a report is tabled to me, before I comment. I cannot run a contemporaneous commentary about the proceedings. I will wait until all the matters are ventilated and thereafter I will be able to comment."