Advocate Terry Motau Resigns from Madlanga Commission: Budget Woes?
Advocate Terry Motau has revealed the reasons behind his sudden departure as the chief evidence leader of the Madlanga commission of inquiry. This commission is investigating serious allegations of criminality, corruption, and political meddling within South Africa's criminal justice system. Motau's resignation, announced on Tuesday, has raised concerns about the commission's future and its ability to effectively carry out its mandate.
In an interview with Radio 702, Motau explained that he made the difficult decision to withdraw on September 11th, informing Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, the commission's chair. He cited administrative issues as the primary cause, stating, "Things didn’t go according to plan. There were things that were quite unforeseen on my part that made it impossible for me to add value to the commission.”
A key concern highlighted by Motau was the commission's budget. He drew a comparison to the Zondo commission of inquiry, which, despite a massive R1 billion budget, still faced issues with delayed payments to legal representatives. Motau emphasized that a sufficient budget is crucial for a commission of this magnitude to operate effectively.
"To be able to perform a task of this nature, once the government says they have given you a budget of R147m, it’s not a lot of money for a task such as this,” Motau stated. He elaborated on the various operational needs, including the procurement of IT services, investigators, researchers, and attorneys. The departure of a key figure like Motau raises questions about whether the commission can achieve its objectives with the current resources.
What's Next for the Madlanga Commission?
Advocate Matthew Chaskalson SC has been appointed as Motau's replacement. The commission now faces the challenge of maintaining momentum and ensuring that the investigation remains thorough and impartial, despite the unexpected change in leadership and potential budgetary constraints. The public will be watching closely to see if the commission can overcome these hurdles and deliver credible findings.