Media Houses Challenge Secret Madlanga Hearing As Commission Seeks New Clearance

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has temporarily delayed its decision on whether acting intelligence coordinator Dr Ntandazo Sifolo should testify in secret, giving South Africa’s intelligence authorities until next week to clarify which sensitive documents can be used in public hearings. Commission chairperson Mbuyiseli Madlanga ruled on Thursday that evidence leaders must consult directly with Sifolo to determine if the National Intelligence Co-ordinating Committee (Nicoc) will allow the public disclosure of documents previously released under strict conditions for the inquiry.

The direction requires evidence leaders to submit Nicoc’s formal position by Friday, October 23, 2026, and present a written report to Madlanga by Wednesday, October 28, before further decisions are made. This administrative delay comes in response to a debate over whether Sifolo’s entire testimony should take place behind closed doors. Media organizations, including amaBhungane, Media24, and Daily Maverick, strongly opposed a private hearing, arguing that total secrecy would weaken public oversight and accountability.

At the heart of the debate is a collection of intelligence files concerning allegations that organized crime syndicates have infiltrated South Africa’s criminal justice system. The material includes national intelligence estimates compiled between 2022 and 2025, several Nicoc intelligence briefs, a detailed report covering early 2025, and official meeting minutes. Chief evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson explained that these materials were declassified strictly for the commission’s internal use, meaning the panel lacks the legal power to share them publicly without permission from state security authorities.

To resolve the impasse, the evidence team outlined three choices: challenge the intelligence restrictions in the High Court, question Sifolo publicly without touching on the classified files, or hold the session in camera while keeping a transcript that might be released later. Chaskalson favored the third route to avoid long court delays.In contrast, media representative Ben Winks urged the commission to keep the hearing open by default,arguing that questions about Nicoc’s administrative mandate and response to warnings do not require exposing state secrets. With public hearings set to resume on November 9, the coming ruling will establish how the inquiry balances national security concerns with transparent public proceedings.

https://x.com/zanewsflash/status/2113572696332058948?s=46

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