The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has stepped into the fray following recent assertions made by Advocate Terry Motau SC regarding his resignation from the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System.
Advocate Motau, who served as the former Chief Evidence Leader for the commission, has suggested that his decision was significantly influenced by concerns over budgetary shortfalls.
In a bid to clarify the situation, Minister Kubayi has made it clear that the budget for the commission has been well-managed and effectively communicated, countering Motau’s claims that financial issues played a crucial role in his departure.
“At no point were formal concerns regarding the budget raised with the Department,” she stated, emphasising the importance of clear communication and accountability.
Advocate Motau’s involvement in the commission’s financial matters is notable; he contributed to the determination of the fee structures for himself and his junior counsel, indicating that seemingly any concerns he had may have been a misunderstanding of the processes in place.
Budgetary Breakdown and Financial Management
The commission’s total budget for the 2025/26 financial year has been outlined as a significant R147.9 million, with allocations designed to maintain its operations effectively. A detailed review of the budget reveals the following allocations:
- Compensation of Employees: R10.898 million
- Includes payment for commissioners, evidence leaders, investigators, researchers, and secretariat staff.
- Goods and Services: R100.744 million
- Communication & ICT: R58.730 million
- Consultants: Investigators & Researchers: R11.157 million
- Legal Services: R19.918 million
- Travel & Subsistence: R2.678 million
- Payments for Capital Assets: R36.258 million
- Covering secure ICT infrastructure, including computers and servers.
Additionally, the commission operates from the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College, a state-owned facility, which incurs no additional costs to the national budget, thereby maximising resource efficiency.
Minister Kubayi reiterated her commitment to transparency and accountability, urging Advocate Motau to openly clarify his motivations for his resignation.
“We must strive to ensure that the essential functions of this commission are adequately supported, and any implications regarding budgetary concerns should be addressed candidly,” she encouraged.
As the commission moves forward amidst discussions about its future direction and viability, clarity from its former leadership regarding operational matters becomes crucial to restoring public confidence in both its ongoing investigations and the integrity of the funding processes.
