WATCH: Madlanga Commission faces secrecy battle as media oppose closed-door intelligence testimony

The Madlanga Commission will hear arguments over a bid to shield sensitive intelligence evidence from the public, with media organisations opposing a move to compel National Intelligence Co-ordinating Committee (NICOC) head Dr Ntandazo Sifolo to testify in camera.

Evidence leaders have applied for Sifolo’s testimony to be heard behind closed doors, citing classified information he is expected to present.

The information would be declassified for the commission’s viewing, but withheld from the public.

Sifolo is expected to testify about the committee’s internal operations, accountability and details of current and future threat assessments.

Media houses opposing the application argue that the operations and responsibilities of joint intelligence structures are matters of significant public interest.

They contend that restricting access to the testimony would undermine the commission’s mandate to promote public accountability.

The arguments are being heard in an open session at the Bridgette Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria on Wednesday, as the commission returns from its recess.

Meanwhile, the commission plans to engage socialite Serge Cabonge and obtain a statement about allegations contained in a voice recording played during former deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya’s bail hearing at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court last week.

The recording, attributed to Cabonge, alleges that he once helped the family of a man who “sits in front at the Madlanga Commission”.

It further claims that the man’s daughter faced charges after a collision involving a woman carrying a child, charges which Cabonge says he got police to drop.

The planned engagement with Cabonge follows the circulation of the allegations, which the commission has dismissed.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

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