Commission deadline in doubt as Mkhwanazi hearing pushed back

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has provided the first clear indication that it will likely miss its looming March 17 deadline.

In a sitting on Monday, the Commission postponed the hearing of suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Deputy Chief, Julius Mkhwanazi, to March 23, a date that falls nearly a week outside the Commission’s current mandate to complete its work.

The postponement follows a request from Mkhwanazi's attorney, Nkosana Khumalo, who informed the Commission that he requires more time to prepare his client for testimony. Khumalo cited a lack of necessary documentation as the primary hurdle.

"There are documents that he has to furnish me in order to prepare for his next testimony," Khumalo stated. "At this point in time, I literally have no paper, nothing from him that comes from the Commission."

While the scheduling of the March 23 hearing suggests a timeline shift, an official extension has not yet been formalised.

The Commission confirmed it has been engaging with the President’s Office regarding a revised schedule.

However, no official communication or Government Gazette has been published to legally extend the inquiry's lifespan beyond the original March 17 cut-off.