President cites witness safety and ongoing investigations
President Cyril Ramaphosa has once again defended his decision not to release the full interim report of the Madlanga Commission, warning that doing so could undermine the body's continuing work and put witnesses at risk. Speaking during a question-and-answer session in the National Assembly on Thursday, Ramaphosa stressed that several individuals had yet to give testimony before the commission.
The President explained that making the report's contents known at this stage would be unjust to those whose evidence remains incomplete, as well as to persons against whom no formal findings have been made. He added that premature disclosure could compromise active investigations and reveal lines of questioning that the commission has not yet pursued to their conclusion.
"Beyond the referrals and recommendations that I have made public, it would be unfair to witnesses whose testimony is not complete or individuals against whom the commission has not yet made any findings to publicise the information at this stage."
The commission's mandate was extended to 31 August 2026 earlier this week, and Ramaphosa confirmed that all reports would be made available to the public once the final document is submitted. A second interim report is anticipated by the end of May. However, the President cautioned that publication of certain sections may be restricted if releasing them could endanger individuals who have appeared before the commission, noting that some witnesses have already been targeted and faced serious threats to their safety.
Headed by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, the commission was set up to probe allegations brought forward by Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on 6 July 2025. These allegations concern criminality, political interference and corruption within the criminal justice system. The first interim report, handed to Ramaphosa in December last year, led to at least 14 senior South African Police Service members and Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality officials being referred for investigation after the commission identified them as possible wrongdoers.
No one will be shielded, President vows
Ramaphosa told the National Assembly that he had instructed the Minister of Police and the National Commissioner to establish a special investigation task team that reports directly to the commissioner. Disciplinary proceedings are already underway in the relevant departments, with some individuals facing suspension. The President assured the country that the process has been guided throughout by a commitment to transparency and ensuring that South Africans learn the full truth about Mkhwanazi's allegations.
"I can give assurance that no one - who is either implicated or will be implicated - will be shielded. When the commission does its recommendations, we will act accordingly on those recommendations. No big name or small name, however they are connected, will be shielded. We can assure of that."
Turning to another pressing matter, the President addressed a question about the newly formed National Water Crisis Committee. He revealed that an action plan to tackle the country's water challenges is being drafted, drawing on the same approach that was used to resolve the energy crisis. The committee is expected to begin its proceedings in the coming week, with the national Water Action Plan set for completion by the end of March.
Ramaphosa identified three core priorities confronting the committee, chief among them the dire state of municipal water and sanitation infrastructure. He noted that decades of neglected maintenance at local government level had created a massive backlog in repairs and refurbishment. Resolving the crisis, he said, demands a comprehensive strategy centred on institutional reform, infrastructure upkeep and human capital development at municipal level. Where municipalities fail to meet their obligations or refuse to implement corrective measures, the national government will step in as permitted by the Constitution, the National Water Act and the Water Services Act.
"Where necessary, national government will assume responsibilities for water services in those municipalities that fail to discharge their responsibilities."
