Kamogelo Moichela|Published
The Madlanga Commission has rejected allegations by Serge Cabonge that he knows someone within the inquiry, insisting that no commissioner qor evidence leader has ever met, spoken to or communicated with him.
The commission issued the clarification after an audio recording attributed to Cabonge was played during the bail application of former deputy police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya in the Randburg Magistrate's Court this week.
In the recording, Cabonge claimed to know someone at the commission.
Madlanga Commission denies contact with Serge Cabonge
This has raised questions about possible interference in a criminal investigation, prompting the commission to publicly challenge its credibility.
“The commission wants to state clearly and categorically that the allegations are false, incoherent and are not supported by any facts,” it said.
It stressed that neither commissioners nor evidence leaders had met or spoken to Cabonge, adding that nobody acting on its behalf had contacted him, directly or through an intermediary, about his appearance before the inquiry.
The commission said it initially became aware of the allegations when the recording was played during Sibiya’s bail proceedings.
It subsequently indicated that Cabonge had previously been mentioned during its hearings and that it would engage him, obtain a statement and investigate the matter in line with its terms of reference.
The commission had intended to let that process proceed without further public comment.
Commission to investigate allegations amid public scrutiny
However, it said, continued public speculation had made a stronger response necessary.
It warned people against accepting or circulating allegations of this nature without exercising caution, particularly where claims suggest that senior representatives of a judicial commission may have attempted to interfere with a criminal investigation.
Despite its firm denial, the commission said it would continue pursuing the matter through its established processes and declined to comment further.
The dispute unfolds as the commission continues its broader inquiry into matters within its mandate, with public hearings scheduled to resume on November 9.
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