Activists demand Ramaphosa release Madlanga Commission interim report

The Activists and Citizens Forum have called for President Cyril Ramaphosa to make the Madlanga Commission interim report public. This comes as reports revealed that Ramaphosa does not plan to make the interim report public set to be finalised before the end of the year.

On Sunday, Ramaphosa’s office confirmed that the report, which is due on Wednesday, December 17 will not be made public. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said this is because, the report is an interim one and there is still more evidence that is going to be heard. Magwenya further added that some witnesses who have already testified before the probe are expected to be called back.

According to media reports this report is expected to give progress on the work of the Commission which has since heard phase 1 of testimony which comprises of the main allegations as well as parts of phase 2 which comprises of implicated persons giving their version.

Magwenya said that the Commission, which is tasked with probing allegations of criminality, political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system, is expected to continue with its work in the new year.

The commission, chaired by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, was established by Ramaphosa after the revelations made by KZN police commission LT General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who in July this year, implicated senior officials including police minister, Senzo Mchunu in alleged political interference in the work of the police.

Reacting to this, spokesperson for the Activists and Citizens Forum, Dennis Bloem, said the media reports claiming that the Presidency said that the report will not be made public, are to be true, this will not be in the interests of transparency.

Bloem stated: We are extremely disturbed by media reports that the Madlanga Commission's interim report will not be made public. If these reports are true, then we want to condemn this decision. We demand transparency and accountability, and not secrecy.

“We have said several times before when President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his decision to appoint a Commission of Inquiry headed by Retired Judge Madlanga, that it is a tactic of the President to suppress the truth,’ Bloem said.

Bloem further accused Ramaphosa of always operating in the dark saying: “President Ramaphosa is known for his dark room operations. President Ramaphosa must be warned that the people of the country will not accept a decision to keep the Madlanga Commission interim report secret.”

In September, while being interviewed by the SABC, President Cyril Ramaphosa committed to act on the recommendations that will be given to him when the Madlanga Commission when it concludes.