Presidency confirms Madlanga Commission interim report to be kept under wraps

The public will not, for now, get access to the Madlanga Commission’s interim report, the Presidency confirmed on Monday, saying the findings were still half-baked.

Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told a media briefing that while President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to receive the interim report on Wednesday, December 17, it will not be released publicly.

Only the final report, expected in 2026, will be made available.

“The report the President will receive is not the one that will be released to the public,” Magwenya said, stressing that the interim findings remain incomplete.

He explained that several witnesses who have already testified before the commission are expected to return to continue or expand on their evidence.

In some cases, testimony covered only limited aspects of broader issues still under investigation.

“Some of the witnesses will be called back to give further evidence. It would not be helpful to start chewing and debating on something that’s half-baked,” Magwenya said.

The interim report, he added, is intended to bring Ramaphosa up to speed on the commission’s progress, as the President has not had time to follow every day of the hearings.

It will outline issues already canvassed but will not draw final conclusions.

The decision comes amid growing public debate over transparency. South Africans want to know why the report would not be public.

Magwenya urged patience, saying premature public debate could undermine the commission’s work. “We need to allow the process to be completed,” he said.

The Madlanga Commission was established to probe serious governance and accountability issues, and its final report is expected to carry significant weight.

Until then, the presidency has asked the public to exercise patience, insisting that transparency will be served once the commission concludes its work and delivers a comprehensive, final report.

Magwenya assured that the final report will be consequential to all the implicated persons.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

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