Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga postponed the testimony of Advocate Andrea Johnson after she missed a scheduled commission hearing in Pretoria on July 13 [1].
The incident highlights growing friction within the Madlanga Commission as the chair expresses frustration over witnesses failing to appear for critical proceedings. Because Johnson leads the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption, her absence delays the inquiry into high-level misconduct.
Johnson was scheduled to testify on Monday morning, July 13 [1]. However, she was unable to attend the session after being rushed to the hospital. "I was taken to hospital early Monday morning and could not attend," Johnson said [2].
Justice Madlanga, who chairs the commission, reacted to the medical documentation submitted to justify the absence. He described the provided medical certificate as "useless" [3].
The chair suggested that this instance is not an isolated event. "We are seeing a recurring pattern of witnesses failing to appear with inadequate medical documentation," Madlanga said [3].
The commission's proceedings have already been marked by tension involving several high-profile figures. Recent reports indicate that both Johnson and the now-retired Shamilla Batohi of the National Prosecuting Authority have been accused of misconduct [4].
Despite the frustration expressed by the chair, the hearing was officially postponed to allow for Johnson's recovery and a rescheduled appearance. The commission continues to investigate systemic failures, and corruption within South African legal and investigative frameworks.
“"The medical certificate is useless."”
The chair's public dismissal of the medical evidence suggests a low level of trust between the commission and the state's investigative leadership. By labeling the documentation as 'useless,' Justice Madlanga is signaling that the commission will no longer accept vague health claims as a valid reason for delaying testimony, potentially setting a stricter precedent for all future witnesses.
