About the Commission

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into criminality, political interference and corruption in the Criminal Justice System, led by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 23 July 2025 to probe the alleged infiltration of South Africa's law enforcement and intelligence agencies, prosecution service, the judiciary, and correctional services.

The Commission has also been mandated to assess oversight mechanisms, review legislation, and make actionable recommendations.

President Ramaphosa appointed the Commission as a result of the specific allegations made public by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on 6 July 2025.

The Commission is appointed to investigate and report on the veracity, scope, and extent of the allegations with regard to the infiltration of law enforcement, intelligence and associated institutions within the criminal justice system by criminal syndicates and make findings and recommendations for criminal prosecutions, disciplinary actions and institutional reform.

The Commission shall inquire into, report on and make findings and recommendations concerning:

• Whether criminal syndicates have infiltrated or exert undue influence over SAPS, JMPD, EMPD, TMPD, NPA, SSA, members of the Judiciary, and the Department of Correctional Services;
• The nature, extent, and consequences of such infiltration, including facilitation of organised crime, suppression of investigations, corruption, intimidation of witnesses, and targeted removal of officials;
• The role of senior officials who may have aided, abetted, failed to act on intelligence, or benefitted from syndicate operations;
• The role of any member of the national executive responsible for the criminal justice system;
• The effectiveness or failure of oversight mechanisms;
• The adequacy of current legislation, policies, and institutional arrangements in preventing such infiltration;
• Prima facie evidence relating to the involvement of individuals currently employed within law enforcement or intelligence agencies, and recommendations regarding their employment status.