JOHANNESBURG - The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into political interference and corruption in South Africa’s criminal justice system stalled before it even began, raising suspicions there could have been a sinister move behind the delays.
This is according to Parliament’s Justice Committee member, Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach, who says the Justice Department had sufficient time to prepare for the inquiry but failed to do so.
“The Department of Justice is responsible for funding this commission and had enough time to put the infrastructure in place. The fact that it has not been done, points to more than just incompetence,” Breytenbach said.
The inquiry was due to begin on 1 September but has been postponed after the department failed to provide the promised infrastructure, despite earlier assurances.
Justice Minister Mmamaloko Kubayi confirmed disciplinary action is being taken against the department’s director-general, while the deputy director-general for ICT has already been suspended.
The Madlanga inquiry was established to probe allegations of corruption at the highest levels in South Africa's law enforcement infrastructure.