The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System has confirmed that it delivered its interim report to President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday.
The handover comes exactly three months after Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi appeared before the Commission on 17 September 2025 as its first witness. Mkhwanazi testified under oath on allegations he had publicly raised during a media briefing in Durban on 6 July 2025.
Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels said the inquiry has, to date, heard evidence from 37 witnesses over 45 hearing days. Proceedings have taken various forms, including fully public, partially public, and one fully in-camera hearing.
According to Michaels, 28 witnesses testified during Phase One of the inquiry, which focused on airing, substantiating and corroborating the allegations.
“As part of Phase Two, the Commission has thus far heard nine witnesses who have testified in response to the allegations levelled against them and to present their side of the story, with dozens more expected to appear in 2026,” he said.
Michaels described the killing of Mr Marius van der Merwe as a critical turning point for the inquiry.
“The brutal killing of Mr Marius van der Merwe outside his home on 5 December 2025, in full view of his wife and children, marked an inflection point for the Commission. His murder is a stark reminder of the determination of certain criminal elements who do not want to see accountability and justice take their course,” he said.
He stressed that the Commission would not be intimidated and called on law enforcement agencies to bring those responsible to justice.
“The Commission urges the relevant law enforcement agencies to track down and bring to book all those who seek to undermine its work and the rule of law. We have also been encouraged by the fact that more witnesses have since come forward to assist in uncovering the truth behind these serious allegations,” Michaels added.
Since its establishment, the Commission has received 28 walk-in submissions, while 45 of the 89 submissions received via its hotline were found to fall within its terms of reference.
To date, the Commission has compiled 8,087 pages of hearing transcripts and used 120 document bundles, including witness statements and evidence files.
Michaels confirmed that the Commission will close between Christmas and New Year, with only essential staff on duty. Preparations for the next phase of work will continue, and an announcement on the resumption of public hearings is expected in January 2026.
Meanwhile, several organisations have raised concerns over transparency after the Presidency confirmed that the Commission’s Interim Report will not be made public.
The clarification was issued on Sunday following growing questions about the status of the report after the conclusion of the first phase of testimony.
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the document remains confidential because it is an interim report and the commission has not yet completed its work.
anita.nkonki@inl.co.za
Saturday Star