Madlanga Commission engaging president over possible deadline extension

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry is engaging President Cyril Ramaphosa over the possibility of extending its deadline.

The commission is looking into possible criminal interference in the country's justice and law enforcement sectors.

When Ramaphosa established it last year, he emphasised he didn't want it to take as long as other commissions before it, giving it a six-month window to complete its work.

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However, the commission's work has been delayed due to several witnesses falling sick before they must appear, while others have challenged their subpoenas in court and other administrative issues.

The commission’s spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, explained: “I think we have said before and it is clear the commission still has a lot of work to do. On the current deadline, the proclamation the president issued in November, the commission’s current deadline is 17 March in a few weeks and so, obviously, the question arises and so, the commission is engaging on that issue with the presidency so let’s wait for an announcement on that regard."