The Presidency has confirmed that only the final report of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry will be made public, maintaining its position despite growing public interest in the probe.

Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya reiterated this stance during a media briefing on Monday, saying the interim report, due to be submitted to President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday, will remain confidential.

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry was established to investigate allegations of corruption within South Africa’s criminal justice system. Over the past three months, the commission has heard testimony from a range of witnesses and examined evidence linked to alleged wrongdoing and systemic failures.

According to Magwenya, the interim report will contain detailed accounts of witness testimonies and evidence presented so far. However, he cautioned that releasing the document at this stage would be inappropriate and potentially harmful to the integrity of the process.

“The reasoning is quite simple,” Magwenya said. “Some of the witnesses that have come before the commission are going to be called back again to continue with their evidence. Some of them had evidence located in specific areas but not as broad as it was meant to be.”

He added that the commission’s work is still at an early stage and far from complete, making public disclosure of interim findings premature. The Presidency believes that releasing partial information could lead to misinterpretation, speculation and undue pressure on witnesses who may still be required to testify.

The decision has sparked debate about transparency, particularly given the seriousness of the allegations under investigation. However, the Presidency has emphasised that the final report, once completed, will be made public to ensure accountability and public confidence in the process.

The Madlanga Commission is expected to continue its work in the coming months, with further witnesses likely to be called as investigations deepen into alleged corruption within the criminal justice system.