Tuesday, 26 August 2025.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is not surprised by the announcement of the delays to the commencement of the Commission of Inquiry Into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption of Law Enforcement, referred to as the Madlanga Commission.

In a statement issued this morning, the Commission, which was set to begin its work on the 1^st of September 2025 has stated that it is unable to begin its work due to failure by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development to procure the necessary infrastructure despite having made commitments that it would be able to do so.

It is the EFF’s considered view that this forms part of a deliberate attempt to stifle accountability, and we are vindicated that the establishment of this Commission by the President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa was nothing but a pretence at action, knowing very well that there was no intention of ever holding his close political ally and current Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu accountable for the allegations against him.

The pronouncement of this Commission was a political ploy to ease the anxieties of South Africans in the immediate, hoping that our nation would in time collectively forget the damning allegations against Senzo Mchunu and our law enforcement agencies, which were alleged to be captured by criminal networks and drug syndicates. The fact that this Commission, which was supposed to provide an interim report of its work in three-months, has not had the necessary resources allocated to it is a testament to this fact.

The EFF takes this opportunity to remind South Africans that Senzo Mchunu continues to draw the benefits of a Minister of Police, which include security protection, state vehicles, a Ministerial salary, a Ministerial house and all related benefits that come with being a Member of Cabinet. We take this opportunity to remind the nation that as things stand, South Africa effectively has two Ministers of Police, as the Constitution of our country makes no provision for “special leave” of a Minister and stipulates that a Minister can only be appointed or removed from office.

We find ourselves in this situation for a simple reason, the President of South Africa has chosen patronage and political allegiance over South Africa. Not only has Senzo Mchunu avoided accountability, but he also continues to live a life of privilege because it comes at no personal expense to those who owe favour to Mchunu within the ANC. In light of this, we reiterate our call for the removal of Senzo Mchunu as a Member of Cabinet to protect the public purse and taxpayer money.

The indefinite suspension of the Commission of Inquiry, which the EFF perceives as a deliberate refusal to support it by the Department of Justice, is yet another victory for the criminal networks and drug syndicates which are destroying our nation.

We, therefore, urge Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga to request that he steps aside from this disgraced and fake process which will taint his legacy in the legal profession. It is clear that he is being used as a pawn in a process that seeks to undermine the frustrations of South Africans with crime, and his outcry at deliberate sabotage should be followed by a resignation.

The EFF remains committed to uncovering the criminality which plagues our law enforcement system and we will do so as democratically elected Members of Parliament in the Ad Hoc Committee whose terms of reference have been adopted and is set to begin its work in September 2025.

It is a testament to the strength and independence of Parliament that we do not rely on the Department of Justice to do our work in Parliament, and should this Department or any other attempt to impede on the work of the Ad Hoc committee in Parliament we will explore all legal and parliamentary mechanisms to ensure this does not happen.

ISSUED BY ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS

Sinawo Thambo (National Spokesperson) 072 629 7422

Thembi Msane (National Spokesperson) 061 467 8169

Andiswa Madikazi (Parliament Media Liason) 069 516 4924

Thato Lebyane (Media Inquiries) 078 563 1581