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President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced an extension for the final report deadline related to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
This commission is focused on investigating issues of criminality, political interference, and corruption within the criminal justice system. The commission will submit its report on Monday, 16 November 2026, instead of 31 August, as anticipated originally.
The office of the presidency has announced that the president has granted an extension that establishes an evidence deadline of Friday, 2 October 2026, and a reporting deadline of Monday, 16 November.
This extension aims to allow the commission to finalize the topics it has initiated during the hearings conducted so far.
“The extension allows the commission to hear evidence on all of the matters listed in its terms of reference. Without an extension, the commission will have to leave large parts of its work unfinished.
“President Ramaphosa once again expresses his deepest appreciation for the work conducted by the commission as well as for the manner in which law enforcement agencies are following up on testimony emerging from commission hearings,” the statement read.
Reactions to extension granted
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) acknowledged the commission’s findings indicating serious issues within South Africa’s criminal justice system, such as organized crime infiltration, institutional abuse, political interference in law enforcement, and corruption.
However, they criticized the presidency for its fragmented approach in managing the commission, arguing that it lacks certainty and transparency.
Red Berets Sixolise Gcilishe emphasized that the commission has received a second extension, but President Ramaphosa is not transparent about the actual time needed for the commission to fulfill its mandate.
Additionally, she stated that there is ongoing concern regarding the secrecy of the commission’s interim reports.
“The first interim report was submitted to president Ramaphosa in December 2025 and contained recommendations that immediately resulted in referrals for criminal investigations, prosecutorial consideration, and administrative action against implicated individuals.
“The second interim report was submitted in May 2026 and the presidency has similarly acknowledged that it contains recommendations requiring further prosecutorial and investigative action while the commission continues its work.
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“Yet despite these significant developments, both interim reports remain hidden from the South African public. This commission does not belong to President Ramaphosa; it belongs to the people of South Africa.
“The EFF therefore believes that while the commission must be afforded the time and resources necessary to complete its current mandate, its findings should not mark the end of South Africa’s reckoning with criminal infiltration of the state.
“Their work must produce broader investigations into all institutions where credible evidence of organised criminal influence exists, irrespective of which political party governs them,” she remarked.
RISE Mzansi National Assembly Whip, Makashule Gana, expressed approval of the Madlanga Commission and the Ad Hoc Committee’s ongoing efforts, noting they are already producing results.
He welcomed the president’s decision to extend the commission’s timeline, which will enable comprehensive completion of its mandate without any shortcuts.
Nonetheless, Gana cautioned that this extension should not be leveraged by the executive as a reason to delay action on the audits.
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