Madlanga commission restores faith where Zondo failed to deliver change
SA had many commissions waste money escape consequences but Madlanga sets bar high refusing tolerate no shows and sick excuses.
Since the establishment of South Africa's democracy, numerous commissions of inquiry have been called, but their outcomes have often been perceived as a waste of resources and a means for politicians to evade legal repercussions for their illicit actions. The Zondo Commission of Inquiry, one of the most extensive, produced multiple interim reports but failed to instigate significant change in the departments it addressed.
In contrast, the recently established Madlanga Commission aims to restore public confidence in such inquiries. Two key witnesses anticipated at the commission, National Coloured Congress MP Fadiel Adams and controversial North West businessman Suliman Carrim, have failed to attend. Adams was penalized by commission leader Justice Madlanga for providing a weak excuse regarding laptop issues, which the commission deemed inadequate.
Carrim, who had previously claimed health issues, including a potential heart attack, was traced by the commission to a public appearance in the Western Cape. This has led the commission to consider pressing charges against Carrim for his absence, a precedent-setting move that will reinforce the idea that law prevails in South Africa.
The Zondo Commission's experience of a witness refusing to continue testifying, as with former President Zuma, has long been a source of concern. However, the Madlanga Commission's stringent approach to non-appearance may serve as a strong deterrent and set a new standard for future commissions.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
