Several organisations have raised concerns over transparency after the presidency confirmed that the interim report of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry will not be made public.
The clarification was issued on Sunday amid growing questions about the status of the report following the conclusion of the first phase of testimony before the commission.
Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the report remains confidential because it is an interim document and the commission has not yet completed its work.
He explained that additional evidence still needs to be heard before any findings can be released publicly. According to Magwenya, a number of witnesses who have already testified are expected to be recalled.
Magwenya confirmed this morning that the final report will be shared with the public and commission is expected to resume hearings in January next year as it continues to gather evidence
“The final report will be released to the public. The commission will advise the president on areas that are of national security sensitivity and how those areas will need to be managed.”
It is explained that the interim report primarily reflects progress made during phase one of the inquiry, which focused on key allegations, as well as aspects of phase two involving responses from individuals implicated in the matter.
The Forum for South Africa (FOSA) is among those who criticised the presidency for its continued lack of transparency, particularly regarding matters of public interest funded by taxpayers.
“Why must South African taxpayers be deprived of information that they have directly funded? From the outset, FOSA rejected the Madlanga Commission, warning that it would serve as nothing more than a cover-up for corruption. Recent developments have now confirmed our fears,” said the party.
“The truth can no longer be hidden, and South Africans deserve full disclosure. FOSA therefore demands the immediate public release and full publication of the Madlanga Commission report, without redactions. Transparency and accountability are not optional; they are constitutional obligations. The Presidency must stop undermining public trust and respect the people’s right to know how their money is spent and how decisions affecting the nation are made.”
In a separate statement, the Activists and Citizens Forum, through its secretary-general Dennis Bloem, said it was disturbed by reports suggesting the Madlanga Commission’s interim report would not be released to the public.
“Activists and Citizens Forum is extremely disturbed by media reports that the Madlanga Commission's interim report will not be made public. The media reports claim that the presidency said that the report will not be made public.”
“If these reports are true, then we want to condemn this decision. We demand transparency and accountability, and not secrecy. We have said several times before when President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his decision to appoint a Commission of Inquiry headed by Retired Judge Madlanga that it is a tactic of the President to suppress the truth.”
anita.nkonki@inl.co.za
Saturday Star