By Johnathan Paoli
Veteran senior council, Advocate Matthew Chaskalson, has been appointed chief evidence leader of the Madlanga Commission following the sudden departure of Advocate Terry Motau (SC), who lasted less than three weeks in the role.
The shake-up comes at a critical moment for the high-stakes inquiry into alleged criminality, political interference, and corruption within South Africa’s criminal justice system.
Motau’s abrupt step down, first reported by City Press, has raised eyebrows across the legal and political establishment.
While the advocate, known for his trademark bow ties, has not explained his decision publicly, speculation runs rife across the country.
Despite the uncertainty, Chaskalson’s appointment was confirmed this week, with the commission reportedly having plans to recruit a fourth advocate to strengthen the evidence team, which already includes senior counsels Mahlape Sello and Adila Hassim.
Chaskalson is no stranger to the demands of high-profile legal work.
He previously served as an evidence leader at both the Marikana Commission, where he examined the role of police and mining executives in the 2012 massacre, and the State Capture Commission, where he helped expose the vast corruption networks that crippled South Africa during the Zuma presidency.
He has been described as methodical, incisive, and unflappable under pressure, qualities.
The commission has thus far heard testimony from KZN police chief Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, national police chief Fannie Masemola, Major General Petronella van Rooyen, who heads legal in SAPS, and KZN prosecutions head Elaine Harrison. Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo, who heads crime intelligence in SAPS, started his testimony on Monday and will continue today.
INSIDE POLITICS