Urgent Court Bid Withdrawn
Witness F, a police officer whose identity remains protected for safety reasons, has abandoned his urgent court challenge aimed at preventing his full appearance and testimony before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in South Africa. The withdrawal of the application, filed with the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, occurred on February 11, 2026, just days before it was scheduled to be heard. This development clears the way for Witness F to return to the stand on Monday, February 16, 2026, to continue providing evidence in the high-stakes inquiry.
The Madlanga Commission's Mandate
Formally known as the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference, and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, the Madlanga Commission was established in July 2025 by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, its primary mandate is to investigate widespread allegations of collusion and corruption involving politicians, senior police officials, prosecutors, intelligence operatives, and elements of the judiciary across South Africa. Hearings commenced on September 17, 2025, at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria, delving into claims of criminal syndicates infiltrating the country's law enforcement and justice structures.
Witness F's Implication and Challenge
Witness F, previously identified as Sergeant Fannie Nkosi, has been implicated through earlier testimony and key WhatsApp exchanges presented before the Commission. He is alleged to have close ties to suspended Deputy Police Commissioner General Shadrack Sibiya and is believed to have acted as a 'runner,' collecting substantial sums of cash from alleged criminal cartel members. Furthermore, his testimony has touched upon alleged links to cartel figure Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala and a potential arms deal.
The urgent court application sought to block his appearance and prevent the display of his private WhatsApp messages, with Witness F citing fears of self-incrimination. However, the Commission proceeded with his initial testimony last week, during which some of his WhatsApp exchanges were already revealed.
Path Cleared for Continued Testimony
The decision by Witness F to withdraw his legal challenge is seen by some as an acknowledgment that the court bid was unlikely to succeed, especially given previous judicial stances on similar delay tactics. His return to the stand on February 16, 2026, is anticipated to shed further light on the intricate web of corruption and political interference that the Madlanga Commission is tasked with unraveling. The Commission has maintained a firm stance on ensuring that all relevant evidence is heard to fulfill its mandate of uncovering the truth.
2 Comments
Habibi
This development is a clear win for the Madlanga Commission's efforts to expose deep-seated corruption. Still, the underlying reasons for Witness F's initial challenge, such as fear of self-incrimination, shouldn't be entirely dismissed.
ZmeeLove
It's good that the commission can proceed without further delays, ensuring public transparency. However, one must wonder about the pressure Witness F was under to withdraw.