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Madlanga Commission pauses public hearings until 9 November
The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has paused its public hearings and will only return to open proceedings on 9 November 2026, with the inquiry set to use October for in-camera hearings and preparations for its final report.
The decision was announced on Wednesday, 30 September, as the Commission continued hearing evidence relating to criminality, political interference and corruption within South Africa’s criminal justice system.
Why the hearings are being paused
Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels said the decision was influenced by practical considerations surrounding the upcoming local government elections, which are scheduled for 4 November.
“Having considered a number of practicalities related to the upcoming local government elections scheduled for 4 November, the Commission will resume its public hearings on 9 November,” Michaels said.
The Commission will not sit on 2 October and will instead move into a period of in-camera hearings from the following week.
Michaels said the closed proceedings would deal with evidence that cannot be aired publicly because of ongoing investigations or because the information is confidential.
The Commission will also hold a two-day seminar during October as part of preparations for drafting its final report.
Matlala testimony postponed
The pause comes after the Commission postponed the testimony of alleged crime kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Matlala had been scheduled to appear before the inquiry on Thursday, but the Commission postponed his testimony to 14 December 2026 after his legal team raised concerns about the late issuing of his subpoena.
Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga criticised the timing of the subpoena.
“I know, Chaskalson that you are standing in and that it’s not your matter, but it is unacceptable that Mr. Matlala was only subpoenaed on the 25th,” Madlanga said.
Evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson indicated that Matlala could potentially be called earlier if developments in his criminal trial create an available window for his appearance and sufficient notice can be given.
What happens when hearings return
When the Commission resumes public hearings on 9 November, it plans to complete Phase Two of its work before moving into Phase Three.
The next phase is expected to include the return of KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to the witness stand.
Mkhwanazi’s allegations in July 2025 triggered the establishment of the Commission. He raised claims concerning criminality, political interference and corruption within the criminal justice system, prompting President Cyril Ramaphosa to establish the inquiry.
The Commission has since heard from more than 100 witnesses, including senior law enforcement officials, investigators, prosecutors, experts, MPs and private individuals. By its one-year anniversary in September, it had accumulated more than 26,000 pages of oral testimony transcripts and more than 105,000 pages of documentary evidence.
Final report deadline extended
The latest pause also comes as the Commission works under an extended deadline for completing its work.
President Ramaphosa last week granted the Commission a final extension, moving the deadline for its final report to 25 January 2027.
The Presidency said the extension would allow the Commission to process additional evidence, including testimony from experts who have made recommendations relevant to its terms of reference.
The Commission is therefore expected to use December and January to focus on preparing its final report after the remaining public hearings and in-camera proceedings have been completed.
For now, the public-facing hearings are paused, but the inquiry’s work continues behind closed doors throughout October, with the next public sitting scheduled for 9 November.
Economy
Kaya 959 turns up the heat as Chefs & Chenin talent cooks live on air
Kaya 959 is bringing the flavours of the inaugural Chefs & Chenin Festival to its listeners, with some of the chefs taking over the station for a live cooking experience ahead of the two-day culinary celebration.
Chef Mahalia Jackson, Jacques Venter, Chef Tebogo Morgan and Saviour Moyo will be showcasing their culinary skills on air, giving listeners a taste of what they can expect when Chefs & Chenin takes place at Crawford International Sandton College on 26 and 27 September 2026.
The festival is presented in partnership with Kaya 959 and celebrates two distinctly South African passions – cooking over fire and Chenin Blanc.
Bringing the festival to Kaya 959
The live cooking sessions give Kaya 959 listeners an opportunity to get closer to the chefs and the food that will form part of the festival experience.
Rather than simply talking about what is coming, the chefs are putting their skills on display in the Kaya 959 studio, building anticipation for a weekend where food will be cooked over open flames and paired with South Africa’s much-loved Chenin Blanc.
The festival is designed as a celebration of food, wine, music and local creativity, with a Harvest Market, live entertainment, kids’ activities and an art exhibition also forming part of the programme.
Meet the chefs
Chef Mahalia Jackson brings more than three decades of experience in the culinary industry to the line-up. She is an executive chef, entrepreneur and published author, and has been the managing director of Added Touch Catering & Events since 2005.
Her career has included major corporate events and high-profile gatherings, with Jackson also having served guests including former presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki and international diplomats. She is also the author of Dare to Dream, a recipe book and memoir which won an African Authors Award in the Food Category.
Jacques Venter has built a career across different parts of Johannesburg’s culinary scene. According to his Chefs & Chenin profile, he began his career in 2003 as a commis chef at The Castle Kyalami before progressing to sous chef.
His experience has included fine dining at Roots restaurant at Forum Homini, work at Coco C in Bloemfontein and a stint at the Radisson Blu Sandton, where he worked his way up to executive sous chef. Since 2019, he has been part of the Pick n Pay group as a food specialist at Pick n Pay on Nicol and Thyme restaurant.
Chef Tebogo Morgan, the chef behind CRAVINGS, Gourmet Rainbow Cuisine, brings a fusion approach to the festival. Born in Mthatha and raised in Johannesburg, Morgan trained through the International Chef Management Diploma at Capsicum Culinary Studio in Cape Town.
His culinary style, which he describes as “Fire & Fusion”, brings together Asian and Mediterranean influences with open-fire cooking.
Saviour Moyo, who is also associated with Saint Restaurant Sandton, rounds out the group of chefs appearing as part of the Kaya 959 activation.
More than just food
Chefs & Chenin is being positioned as an experience rather than a conventional food festival.
General access tickets include a tasting meal at a pop-up restaurant of the guest’s choice, where chefs will showcase their food through live-fire cooking. There will also be curated Chenin Blanc tastings, alongside the Harvest Market, live music and entertainment for children.
The festival’s focus on open-fire cooking also taps into a familiar South African food tradition, while the Chenin Blanc element highlights one of the country’s most important wine varieties.
With Kaya 959 providing the radio platform and the chefs bringing the food to life on air, the build-up is giving audiences a preview of what awaits at Crawford International Sandton College.
Chefs & Chenin takes place on 26 and 27 September 2026. Tickets are available through Webtickets.
