Madlanga Commission faces questions over alleged links raised in court recording

The Madlanga Commission is set to seek answers from Serge Cabonge after a recording played during Shadrack Sibiya’s bail application brought an alleged intervention in a criminal case into focus.

The recording, presented at the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, contained claims by Cabonge that he had helped the family of a man described as someone who “sits in front” at the commission.

According to the allegations, the man’s daughter had faced a criminal case following a collision involving a woman carrying a child. Cabonge allegedly claimed that he used his contacts to assist the family and that the matter was subsequently withdrawn.

The identity of the person allegedly linked to the commission was not disclosed in the recording.

The commission has now confirmed that it intends to obtain a statement from Cabonge, who has previously been mentioned during its proceedings.

Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels said the inquiry had noted the voice recordings attributed to Cabonge and would engage with him as part of its broader investigation.

The commission has not disclosed what specific questions it intends to put to Cabonge or whether the allegations will result in a separate line of inquiry.

It also declined to comment further on the matter at this stage.

The recording's appearance in court raises questions about the circumstances surrounding the alleged withdrawal of the case and the nature of the relationships described by Cabonge. However, the claims remain allegations and do not, on their own, establish wrongdoing by the unidentified person.

The commission's investigation into the matter will take place within its broader mandate to examine criminality, political interference and corruption in South Africa's criminal justice system.

Meanwhile, Sibiya's bail application is expected to continue at the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, October 14.

Sibiya has denied the charges against him, which include sexual grooming, human trafficking, rape and a firearm-related offence.