By Simon Nare
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has blamed senior administrators in her department for delays in procuring essential infrastructure for the Judicial Inquiry into criminality, political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system, which prevented it from starting as scheduled.
Briefing reporters in Hatfield, Pretoria, Kubayi said those responsible would be held accountable, announcing that Deputy Director of Information and Technology Jabu Hlatshwayo and Director-General Advocate Doc Mashabane would face disciplinary action.
She declined to reveal the specific charges against Mashabane, citing labour law restrictions, and stressed that the matter could not be discussed publicly.
“There were people who were expected to ensure everything was done on time, and they failed. One of them is the DDG of ICT, Jabu Hlatshwayo,” said Kubayi.
She confirmed that both Hlatshwayo and Mashabane had been notified of disciplinary action.
She added that President Cyril Ramaphosa had authorised her to act against Mashabane.
The minister was responding after the Judicial Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System announced it could not begin proceedings as planned due to delays in procuring “essential infrastructure.”
The inquiry was established by Ramaphosa to probe allegations raised by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Kubayi said she was only made aware of the procurement delays on August 22, 2025, but could not intervene directly as this would have contravened the Public Finance Management Act and supply chain regulations.
She stressed that while the two officials would be held accountable, the department had nonetheless met several other commitments to ensure the commission’s work could proceed.
However, Kubayi expressed disappointment that the commission had announced the postponement publicly.
She said she would have preferred to brief the nation herself, as the executive authority responsible, after first consulting with President Ramaphosa.
She stressed that the commission’s decision to issue its own statement should not be seen as a fallout between her and the inquiry, adding that she continued to enjoy a constructive relationship with the commission’s leadership.
Kubayi said an assessment of the Bridget Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria, the commission’s venue, had been completed and classified as medium risk, with security personnel already on standby.
“Outstanding adjustments — including the installation of a guardhouse and turnstiles, office reconfiguration, and lift programming — are scheduled for this week, as the commission had been set to commence on September 1,” she said.
On capacitation, she confirmed that the appointments of commissioners, evidence leaders, a chief investigator with four investigators, secretariat staff, and a spokesperson had all been finalised.
“This ensures the commission is fully equipped to deal with the complex matters before it,” Kubayi said.
She reported that laptops had been delivered and were being configured, while secure ICT infrastructure, data storage, and integrated email and website services were at the procurement stage and would be concluded by Tuesday.
Cellphones had been issued to commissioners, and streaming services for public access were being finalised in partnership with Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) and private broadcasters.
Kubayi emphasised that she could not order the procurement to be fast-tracked, as doing so would breach regulations.
“We can report today that all the procurement that was outstanding around the ICT — which was the major hurdle — has now been resolved,” she said.
She added that she would hand over a detailed report on the progress to the commission and allow Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga to announce a new starting date.
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