By Johnathan Paoli
The Madlanga Commission has approved a tightly controlled system for hearing testimony from high-risk witnesses with sensitive information, allowing evidence to be presented anonymously through intermediaries while keeping live public access to proceedings.
At the start of Tuesday’s proceedings, chief evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson (SC) told commissioners that the “complicated arrangement” was designed to “maximise the public’s access to the commission and at the same time maximise the security of the witnesses”.
“What we have tried to achieve is a situation that both safeguards the witnesses and preserves the principle of open justice to the fullest extent possible.”
The agreement covers testimony that will be heard on Tuesday and Wednesday, as well as from Monday to Wednesday next week.
Discussions are ongoing about witnesses who are due to appear on Thursday and Friday, who will give evidence regarding ongoing criminal cases. The parties have until Wednesday
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