Madlanga Commission delay: Justice Minister insists systems failed, not leadership

702's Bongani Bingwa chats to Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi.

Listen to their conversation in the audio clip below:

"It's undesirable. It should not have happened."

- Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, Department of Justice and Constitutional Development 

The venue is booked, the public is waiting, and the budget is secured. 

But instead of hearing witnesses, one of the most important corruption inquiries in South Africa's history has been stalled.

"The delay is caused by ICT procurement."

- Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, Department of Justice and Constitutional Development 

"Everything else is done."

- Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, Department of Justice and Constitutional Development 

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry was set up to investigate corruption and political interference in South Africa’s criminal justice system, following explosive claims made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

ALSO READ: EFF slams indefinite delay of Madlanga Commission of Inquiry as 'pretend accountability' 

The Commission, originally due to start next week, has placed the blame on the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development for the delays, claiming they had failed to meet the procurement deadlines, but Kubayi has defended her Department.

"We thought that we could save the situation."

- Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, Department of Justice and Constitutional Development 

ALSO READ: Madlanga Commission postponement could damage credibility of justice system reform - Prof Ntsikelelo Breakfast, political analyst  

She places the blame on internal procurement failures, particularly delays in securing ICT infrastructure. 

Kubayi has since suspended the Department’s Deputy Director-General for ICT, Jabu Hlatshwayo, and initiated disciplinary steps against the Director-General Doc Mashabane.

She maintains that her office had been actively involved in oversight, holding weekly meetings and ultimately intervening to bypass the State Information Technology Agency of South Africa (SITA) after its shortcomings became clear. 

Kubayi says corrective measures and consequence management are now in place.

"I am hoping that the delay is not more than a week or two."

- Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, Department of Justice and Constitutional Development 

ALSO READ:

• South Africa suffering from ‘commission fatigue’ - Lawson Naidoo, Council for Advancement of SA Constitution 
• Six months to complete Madlanga Commission? Not long enough, says top lawyer

Scroll up to listen to the full conversation.