Madlanga Commission: In-camera testimony of witness X halted

The answering of questions by witness X at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has been halted.

This follows a lengthy adjournment to resolve the technical feed by which witness X was communicating with one of the evidence leaders.

Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga made a ruling that witness X would testify remotely, with their voice and identity being concealed for safety reasons.

The witness was answering questions through one of the evidence leaders, advocate Thabang Pooe, who was relaying their answers to the commission.

However, due to technical issues, which Madlanga claims had the potential of compromising the safety of witness X, the following ruling was made a short while ago.

“The evidence of witness X will be tendered in a different format. Two, the evidence leader that was leading witness x will read witness x’s statement into the record.”

Madlanga said while the commission strives for a free and transparent process, it has limits.

“Transparency cannot be at the risk of endangering the safety of witness X. Thus, we must adopt a different format on how witness X’s evidence must be tendered. In due course, the commission will decide on how and when questions may be asked.”