President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended the deadline for the final report of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into criminality, political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system.

The commission, chaired by former judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga, will now submit its final report on Monday, 16 November 2026, instead of the previous target date of 31 August 2026. The Presidency announced the extension on Thursday.

This marks the latest adjustment to the commission’s timeline and allows it to finalise outstanding work without leaving major parts of its mandate incomplete.

Updated Deadlines for Evidence and Final Report

The extension sets a clear new deadline of Friday, 2 October 2026, for the completion of evidence. The final report must then follow by 16 November 2026.

According to the official statement from the Presidency, the additional time will enable the commission to close off topics already opened during hearings and to hear evidence on all matters listed in its terms of reference.

Without the extension, the commission would have had to leave large parts of its work unfinished. The new schedule provides a structured path to conclude the evidence phase before the reporting deadline.

Ramaphosa Expresses Appreciation for Commission’s Work

President Ramaphosa once again expressed his deepest appreciation for the work conducted by the commission. He also commended law enforcement agencies for following up on testimony that has emerged from the hearings.

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry was established to examine serious challenges in South Africa’s criminal justice system, including alleged criminal infiltration, political interference and corruption. It has already received previous timeline adjustments to accommodate the scope of its work.

The latest extension reflects the Presidency’s view that thorough completion of the inquiry remains a priority.