By Johnathan Paoli
A 49-year-old man has been arrested at OR Tambo International Airport for allegedly failing to appear before the Madlanga Commission, and is expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
It is understood that the businessman is a former ANC treasurer in the North West.
The man was arrested on Thursday evening, moments before he was due to board an international flight, according to police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.
“The suspect was arrested for failing to appear before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry,” Mathe said.
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The arrest was carried out by the Commission’s Recommendations Task Team (CRTT), which is tasked with following up on recommendations arising from the commission’s work.
The circumstances surrounding the man’s failure to appear, including when he was summoned and the evidence he was expected to give, were not immediately detailed in the statement.
His arrest comes as the commission continues its inquiry into allegations of criminality, corruption and political interference within South Africa’s criminal justice system.
The commission was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa following allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi about alleged criminal infiltration and political interference in law enforcement.
Chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, the commission is examining allegations involving the South African Police Service (SAPS), including Crime Intelligence and the Political Killings Task Team, as well as metropolitan police departments, the National Prosecuting Authority, the State Security Agency, the judiciary and correctional services.
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Its mandate includes assessing whether existing oversight mechanisms, legislation and institutional arrangements are adequate to address the alleged problems, and recommending reforms or referring matters for further investigation and possible prosecution.
It has powers to summon witnesses and compel the production of documents relevant to its investigation.
It is a criminal offence for a person who has been summoned to fail, without sufficient cause, to attend at the specified time and place.
A person convicted of the offence faces a fine, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.
This is a developing story.
