‘It’s Shameful’: Ramaphosa Slams Delays in Madlanga Commission’s Start
Viable News Team 
JOHANNESBURG – President Cyril Ramaphosa has publicly expressed his frustration over repeated delays in the commencement of the long-awaited Madlanga Commission, calling the hold-ups “shameful” and urging officials to move with speed to resolve outstanding challenges.
The commission, which was established to investigate alleged corruption, maladministration, and systemic failures in key state institutions, has faced logistical and IT-related hurdles that have prevented it from starting hearings as scheduled.
Speaking at the Union Buildings on Wednesday, Ramaphosa did not mince his words:
“South Africans deserve answers and accountability. These delays are shameful, and they undermine the very trust we are trying to rebuild. The commission must begin its work without further excuses.”
A Commission Under Pressure
The Madlanga Commission, named after Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, is one of the most anticipated inquiries since the Zondo Commission into state capture. It was expected to begin its first public hearings earlier this month but has instead been bogged down by administrative setbacks, IT malfunctions, and disputes over staffing.
Officials close to the process admitted that while much of the groundwork had been completed, problems with digital infrastructure including systems meant to facilitate virtual attendance and public live-streaming caused repeated postponements.
Civil society groups, opposition parties, and ordinary citizens have been voicing growing frustration, with some warning that every delay feeds suspicion that government is either unprepared or unwilling to allow full transparency.
Ramaphosa’s Balancing Act
For President Ramaphosa, the commission is a crucial test of his promise to clean up governance after years of corruption scandals. His administration has repeatedly stressed its commitment to accountability and reform, but prolonged delays threaten to erode confidence.
“Every day we delay, public trust takes another knock,” said political analyst Professor Nombuso Khumalo. “Ramaphosa knows this is not just about the commission it’s about his credibility as a leader who vowed to confront corruption head-on.”
Echoes of the Zondo Commission
The Madlanga Commission follows in the footsteps of the Zondo Commission, which delivered a monumental report on state capture but also faced criticism for its lengthy proceedings and ballooning costs. Lessons from that experience were supposed to make the new inquiry more efficient, but early signs suggest history may be repeating itself.
Justice Madlanga has pledged that once the commission starts, it will proceed with urgency and focus, emphasizing both speed and fairness in uncovering the truth.
Public Sentiment Boiling Over
On social media, many South Africans echoed Ramaphosa’s anger. Hashtags such as #MadlangaCommission and #JusticeDelayed trended through the week, with citizens demanding immediate action.
One user posted: “We watched years of state capture cripple this country. Now when it’s time to investigate and hold people accountable, we’re told about IT problems? It’s beyond embarrassing.”
The Road Ahead
While officials have promised that the outstanding technical issues will be resolved within weeks, no firm date for the commission’s start has been announced. Ramaphosa has reportedly instructed senior members of his administration to provide him with daily progress reports until hearings officially begin.
The stakes remain high: failure to get the Madlanga Commission off the ground quickly risks undermining South Africa’s fight against corruption and further eroding confidence in Ramaphosa’s leadership.
As the president himself reminded the nation:
“Delays in justice are justice denied. We cannot afford to let our people down again.”
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