Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi Suspends DG and DDG for the Madlanga Commission Delays

• The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, placed the Department's director-general, Advocate Doc Mashabane, and another deputy-director-general, Jabu Hlatshwayo
• Hlatshwayo was responsible for the Information and Communications Technology of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which experienced delays
• Kubayi added that President Ramaphosa instructed her to institute disciplinary proceedings against Mashabane, allegedly for his role in delaying the Commission of Inquiry

With 10 years’ experience, Tebogo Mokwena, a current affairs writer for Briefly News, provided insights into the criminal justice system, crime statistics, commissions of inquiry, and high-profile cases in South Africa at Daily Sun.

PRETORIA, GAUTENG — The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development announced on 26 August 2025 that the department's Director-GeneralAdvocate Doc Mashabane, and the Deputy Director-General responsible for procuring the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, Jabu Hlatshwayo. This was after the Commission announced that public hearings, which were meant to commence on 1 September, were postponed due to delays.

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Kubayi held a press briefing in Tshwane and provided an update about the progress of the Commission of Inquiry. The press briefing came hours after the Commission of Inquiry announced that procurement delays compelled the commission to postpone its commencement.

Kubayi said that after learning of the delays, she convened several meetings with the commission and communicated with President Cyril Ramaphosa. Ramaphosa directed her to take disciplinary action against Mashabane for his role in the delays.

What caused the delays?

Kubasyi said that the outstanding adjustments included a guard house, turnstile installations, office reconfiguration, and lift programming. These are scheduled to be completed this week. She also said 25 laptops were delivered and were being configured. Kubayi added that the protection of witnesses has also been finalised.

"We remain committed to ensuring that the Commission begins its work without further delay and to strengthening the operational efficiency of the Department to prevent similar setbacks in the future," she said.

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When was the Commission supposed to begin?

The commission's chair, Mbuyiseli Madlanga, announced in August that the commission was to begin holding its first public hearings on 1 September. The Brigitte Mabandla Justice College was made available as a venue for free.

Madlanga also announced that the Commission was expected to cost taxpayers over R147 million. Madlanga said that he was prepared to provide Ramapodas a report of the commission three months after its commencement.

What did South Africans say?

Netizens commenting on X were not impressed with the delays or the Commission.

Sthamber said:

"Commissions are a waste of time, just like the National Dialogue. The ANC has lost direction and South Africa should show them the door."

Land Owner said:

"Delays to clean everything in evidence."

T-Mac said:

"As minister, shesnou;ld have been getting updates. It's impossible ha she was not aware of the challenges that the DG faced. The DG must be allowed to state his side of the story."

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Andromeda said:

"These deliberate delays confirm Mkhwanazi's allegations that the rot goes all the way to the top echelons of the Justice Department."

The Last Remaining Kleva Black asked:

"Why do I smell political scapegoating?"

Senzo Mchunu welcomes the Commission of Inquiry

In a related article, Briefly News reported that Senzo Mchunu, who was placed on leave, welcomed the Commission of Inquiry. He broke his silence days after Ramaphosa announced the Commission and placed him on leave.

Mchunu was accused of having ties to a drug syndicate, which allegedly infiltrated the criminal justice system. He denied having ties to the syndicate and said the Commission would give him the chance to prove his innocence.

Source: Briefly News