Madlanga Commission Halts Testimony After Secret Witness’s Security Was Compromised
- The secret witness who testified before the Madlanga Commission of inquiry on 14 October 2025 stopped testifying
- This was after threats to their security emerged, and their safety was compromised in the midst of the proceedings
- The witness had been testifying behind closed doors after two media houses filed an interdict to air the testimonies in public
With 10 years’ experience, Tebogo Mokwena, Briefly News’ Deputy Head of the Current Affairs desk, South Africa, provided insights into the criminal justice system, crime statistics, commissions of inquiry, and high-profile cases in South Africa at Daily Sun.
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PRETORIA, GAUTENG — The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry stopped the live testimony of Witness X on 14 October 2025 after a security threat endangered the witness's life.
In a statement the Commission released, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga said that the Commission experienced technical difficulties that had the potential of endangering the safety of the witness. He said that a different format will be adopted to ensure that Witness X testifies and tenders their evidence. He said that while the Commission will provide information on how and when questions will be asked about the testimony, the witness's statement will be read into the record.
"This decision has not been taken lightly because this commission values and respects transparency. Transparency is not transparency for transparency's sake. It is about the interest that the public has in matters that affect them," Madlanga said.
A look at the Madlanga Commission
President Cyril Ramaphosa established the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on 13 July 2025. This was after KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi held a press briefing on 6 July and alleged that criminal syndicates had infiltrated the criminal justice system. He alleged that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and suspended Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya colluded to disband the Political Killings Task Team.
Mkhwanazi testified first
Mkhwanazi was the first witness to testify when the public hearings began on 17 September at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Tshwane. He alleged that various politicians and cabinet members, including former Ambassador to France Nathi Mthethwa, were implicated in the interference with police work.
He also accused Members of Parliament, including National Coloured Congress President Fadiel Adams, of having access to sensitive crime intelligence information. Adams responded and said that the information was slipped under his office door.
Masemola testified after Mkhwanazi
National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola testified and slammed Mchunu for disbanding the Political Killings Task Team. He also praised the Task Team's work.
Crime Intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo testified before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry as the fifth witness. His testimony came after Mkhwanazi and National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola testified. He testified about the WhatsApp communication between attempted murder accused Vusimuzi Matlala and controversial businessman Brown Mogotsi.
Mkhwanazi implicates the Presidency
In a related article, Briefly News reported that Mkhwanazi implicated the office of the Presidency. He said the Presidency allegedly interfered with the police investigation in KwaZulu-Natal.
Mkhwanazi was testifying before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. He said that he received a call from Masemola, who told him that the Presidency was not happy with the investigation of murders that took place in Richards Bay.
Source: Briefly News
