President Cyril Ramaphosa has received the interim report from the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is probing allegations of criminality, political interference and corruption linked to parts of the criminal justice system. The Presidency confirmed the report was formally handed to the President on Wednesday, 17 December 2025.
The commission is chaired by retired Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga. Ramaphosa is expected to consider the interim findings while the commission pauses work over the recess period. The inquiry is set to continue with further hearings in early 2026.
Why the Interim Report Will Not be Released
The Presidency has said the interim report will not be made public. The explanation is that an interim report does not reflect final findings and that the commission is still testing evidence, with some witnesses expected to return to clarify or expand on testimony.
The final report is expected in 2026 and is the document that will be published once the commission concludes its work. For now, the interim report remains an internal submission to the President while the inquiry continues to gather and assess evidence.
Pressure Builds Over Prosecutions and Referrals
A major expectation around the commission is that criminal conduct, if identified, should be flagged for action. The Presidency has indicated that matters that may amount to criminal acts must be referred in line with the commission’s terms of reference.
That detail matters because the inquiry has become a national pressure point. South Africans want to see whether the evidence collected translates into real accountability, especially where allegations point to interference in policing or prosecutions.
Hearings to Continue in 2026 Amid Safety Concerns
The commission has already heard evidence from dozens of witnesses across multiple phases. It is expected to resume proceedings in January 2026.
The inquiry has also condemned intimidation linked to its work and has spoken out about the killing of one of its witnesses, Marius van der Merwe. That moment has sharpened concerns about witness safety and whether the system can protect people who come forward.
What happens next will be judged on action. If credible referrals start moving through the justice system before the final report, the public will see whether the state is serious about consequences, not just process.
