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The Madlanga Commission has confirmed it will hold hearings \u201cpartially\u201d in camera from Monday to Wednesday, with undisclosed witnesses testifying in camera from a remote location, though their voices will remain audible to the public through the live feed.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System will hold hearings partially in camera from October 20 to 22, 2025,\u201d the commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels said.<\/span><\/p>\n Witnesses A, B and C will testify off camera but from a remote location, with their voices broadcast live.<\/span><\/p>\n Michaels said the public and media would have access to the auditorium at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College, where the hearings will take place.<\/span><\/p>\n He confirmed that the proceedings would be livestreamed, and that witnesses\u2019 exhibits would be displayed on screen as testimony is given.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe transcript of the witnesses\u2019 testimony will be made publicly available after the witnesses have finished testifying,\u201d Michaels said.<\/span><\/p>\n He added that the commission\u2019s evidence leaders would explain the rationale for the arrangement at the start of proceedings at 9.30 a.m on Monday.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe hearings from October 20 to 22, 2025 are proceeding in line with the ruling handed down by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga on October 14, 2025, as agreed by the evidence leaders and the lawyers representing Daily Maverick and Media24,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n Independent Online () has also consented to the agreement.<\/span><\/p>\n The witnesses are expected to testify about their experiences as detectives investigating crimes linked to the criminal cartels that are the focus of the commission\u2019s work, as well as the alleged interference in those investigations.<\/span><\/p>\n While the identity of Monday\u2019s witness remains unclear, it is believed the individual may be a member of the South African Police Service (SAPS).<\/span><\/p>\n Last week, reported that the commission had temporarily adjourned its public proceedings and resumed them behind closed doors, due to sensitive evidence related to ongoing criminal investigations.<\/span><\/p>\n Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, who chairs the commission, confirmed on Thursday that proceedings would continue in camera that day and the next day.<\/span><\/p>\n The public and media are expected to return next week once the sensitive evidence has been addressed.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThis is the first time those implicated will hear this information,\u201d Madlanga told attendees before adjourning the session. <\/span><\/p>\n He added that Michaels would provide further updates on next week\u2019s programme.<\/span><\/p>\n Media houses initially opposed the decision to hold private hearings but later agreed after learning that the confidentiality was intended not to protect witnesses\u2019 identities, but to safeguard active police investigations.<\/span><\/p>\n Chief evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson SC clarified the rationale, saying the subject matter of the evidence, not the witnesses\u2019 identities, required an in-camera session.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cPublic disclosure at this stage could compromise police investigations that are already at an advanced stage,\u201d Chaskalson said.<\/span><\/p>\n He noted that the commission\u2019s work often overlaps with parallel police probes, making strategic confidentiality essential.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe hope that, well before the commission concludes, these investigations will reach a stage where this evidence can be shared publicly. Once that happens, today\u2019s testimony will be made public,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n Chaskalson added that while the decision was taken with caution, it was crucial to maintain narrative coherence within the commission\u2019s broader findings.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt makes thematic sense to hear this evidence now – even if secrecy is temporarily necessary,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n Independent Newspapers, which had initially planned to challenge the closed-door ruling, later withdrew its opposition. <\/span><\/p>\n After consultations with the commission and its evidence leaders, the media group said it was satisfied with the decision.<\/span><\/p>\n Chaskalson also stressed that no additional witnesses would testify in private without a formal application.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAs per paragraph five of the commission\u2019s ruling, any future in-camera sessions will be publicly announced at least 72 hours in advance,\u201d he previously said.<\/span><\/p>\n simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za<\/span><\/p>\n Politics<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Madlanga Commission has confirmed it will hold hearings \u201cpartially\u201d in camera from Monday to Wednesday, with undisclosed witnesses testifying in camera from a remote location, though their voices will remain audible to the public through the live feed. \u201cThe Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":256308,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[5794,1331,2041,11062,1112,18943,8745],"class_list":["post-256307","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-politics","tag-audio","tag-camera","tag-commission","tag-hearings","tag-held","tag-madlanga","tag-wednesday"],"yoast_head":"\n