The African National Congress (ANC) has urged South Africans to allow ongoing commissions of inquiry to proceed without political interference, stressing that the party will refrain from commenting until the investigations are concluded.
Deputy Secretary-General Nomvula Mokonyane made the remarks on the sidelines of the ANC’s four-day National General Council (NGC) at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg. She declined to comment on proceedings at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and the Nkabinde Inquiry.
The Madlanga Commission is investigating allegations that criminal syndicates have infiltrated the country’s justice system, while the Nkabinde Inquiry is examining the fitness of the South Gauteng prosecutions head, Andrew Chauke, to hold office.
Mokonyane said the establishment of these inquiries reflects President Cyril Ramaphosa’s commitment to transparency. “The resolve to have these commissions is an issue of the president opting to be transparent and being open to processes leading to him taking a decision,” she said.
She added that the ANC will not engage in commentary on developments from these commissions until their work is complete, stressing the need for objective listening. Mokonyane also noted that the party is sometimes unfairly criticised when individuals associate their appearances before commissions with the ANC.
Meanwhile, National Prosecuting Authority head Advocate Shamila Batohi admitted before the Nkabinde Inquiry that she did not personally review case dockets implicating members of the Cato Manor Unit in serious crimes. She said she relied on an internal memo and a report from the KwaZulu-Natal Director of Public Prosecutions when deciding to drop racketeering charges against Major General Johan Booysen and the unit.
