Ramaphosa defends decision to release Madlanga Commission report after August

By Johnathan Paoli

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated that the interim report of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry investigating allegations of corruption and political interference in the criminal justice system will not be made public until the inquiry has completed its work, warning that premature disclosure could jeopardise investigations and prejudice witnesses.

Responding to oral questions in the National Assembly on Thursday, Ramaphosa defended his decision to withhold the interim findings, saying in light of the ongoing word and incomplete testimony, releasing the interim report would not be a good idea.

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“The commission’s work is ongoing. In its interim report, the commission noted that it will require further evidence from a number of people who had not yet appeared before it. Beyond the referrals and recommendations that I have made public, it would be unfair to witnesses whose testimony