Meet the key figures in the inquiry into Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's explosive claims

In a move to address the allegations over corruption and political interference within the South African Police Service (SAPS), Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga has been appointed as the chairperson of the newly established Judicial Commission of Inquiry.

During a media briefing on Monday, Madlanga reassured the public that preparations for the commission are well underway, with hearings expected to commence in August.

This decision comes in response to serious allegations of corruption and political interference, prominently raised by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Madlanga will be supported by a team of legal experts tasked with uncovering the truth behind the explosive allegations which have shook the nation since they were publicly made earlier this month.

The Madlanga Commission will be equipped with some experienced legal minds with plenty experience and big reputations. 

Madlanga's A Team

Advocate Sesi Baloyi SC and Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC will assist Madlanga in his pivotal role.

Advocate Baloyi is an experienced attorney since 1997 and has been a member of the Bar since 2005. She previously worked as a researcher to Justice Albie Sachs at the Constitutional Court. 

Meanwhile, Advocate Khumalo is a senior counsel at the Johannesburg Bar, specialising in pensions and employee benefits law. 

• Commission Secretary: Dr Nolitha Vukuza.

The administrative side of the commission will be managed by Dr Nolitha Vukuza, a former Senior Executive Director at the University of Johannesburg who possess a wealth of experience in higher education.

• Chief Evidence Leader: Advocate Terry Motau SC.

Motau is a renowned advocate known for his pivotal role in authoring a damning report on the VBS Mutual Bank scandal, which exposed extensive looting and led to numerous criminal cases.

• Chief Investigator: Dr Peter Goss.

Goss is a corporate governance expert and professor of practice in corporate governance and forensic auditing at the University of Johannesburg’s College of Business and Economics.

                   The Evidence Leaders

• Advocate Matthew Chaskalson SC.

Chaskalson is a practicing advocate and member of the Johannesburg Bar. He has also lectured at Wits Law School from 1992 until 1994.

In 1995, he led the Constitutional Law Project at the Centre for Applied Legal Studies, which is still located at Wits. It was during this period that Chaskalson significantly contributed to the initial concepts regarding the new Constitution of South Africa.

He served as the evidence leader at the Zondo state capture commission and collaborated with the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit to retrieve certain assets that were lost due to corruption associated with state capture.

• Advocate Mahlape Sello SC.

Mahlape is not new to investigations involving government officials. She was part of the Section 89 panel appointed to establish whether there was evidence of wrongdoing by President Cyril Ramaphosa in the Phala Phala matter.

• Advocate Adila Hassim SC.

Hassim helped to found the public-interest organisation Section27. She was a member of the legal team in the South Africa vs. Israel case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in January 2024.

In 2017, Hassim was the lead counsel in the Life Esidimeni Arbitration, representing Section27 and the families of mental healthcare patients who died due to neglect.

• Advocate Lee Segeels-Ncube.

She is an advocate at the Bridge Group of Advocates in Johannesburg.

• Advocate Ofentse Motlhasedi.

She holds an LLB and an LLM in human rights and democratisation in Africa, both from the University of Pretoria. Prior to joining the Bar, Ofentse clerked at the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court of Kenya. She worked in a public interest litigation organisation and as a legislative drafter.

• Advocate Thabang Pooe.

She is an LLB graduate from the North-West University (NWU) who went on to join Section27 as a fellow through a programme with Students for Law and Social Justice (SLSJ). She is also in possession of an LLM degree from the University of California, Los Angeles and was appointed by Justice Zak Yacoob as the clerk for Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga.

• Spokesperson: Jeremy Michaels.

With over two decades of experience in the media field, Michaels has been placed to handle media-related queries.

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za

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