The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry will go into recess from Thursday, September 3, until Friday, September 11, with public hearings set to resume on Monday, September 14.

The commission confirmed the seven-working-day break as it prepares for the next phase of its investigation into criminality, political interference and corruption in South Africa’s criminal justice system.

Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels said the recess was necessary to allow two commissioners to honour commitments they had made when the inquiry was originally expected to conclude its work by August 31.

The commission’s deadline has since been extended.

“The recess, for seven working days, is necessary to ensure that two of the Commissioners honour commitments which they made at the time when the Commission was due to have completed its work by 31 August 2026,” Michaels said.

The commission will hold its final public hearing before the recess on Wednesday, September 2.

While the hearings will be suspended, the commission’s senior functionaries and extended team will continue working behind the scenes to prepare for the resumption of proceedings.

The development comes as the commission faces renewed uncertainty over the appearance of suspended Crime Intelligence deputy head Major General Feroz Khan.

Khan was expected to appear before the inquiry on Tuesday, September 1, but will not testify after reports that he has been readmitted to a Johannesburg hospital.

Michaels confirmed that Khan had been subpoenaed to appear before the commission and that the subpoena remained in force.

Khan was previously shot in June and has since been receiving medical treatment.

His latest hospitalisation has raised questions over whether he will be able to give evidence before the commission, which has been seeking answers from senior police officials about allegations of criminality and interference within the criminal justice system.

Khan’s legal team is expected to seek a postponement because of his current medical condition, although no formal application had been lodged at the time of publication.

His absence is particularly significant because the commission has previously dealt with circumstances in which Khan was unable to attend and proceeded with evidence in his absence.

It remains unclear whether the commission will again adopt that approach or postpone Khan’s testimony until he is medically fit to appear.

The uncertainty surrounding Khan’s appearance has also attracted attention from legal and academic commentators.

Speaking to SABC, UKZN professor Nirmala Devi Gopal said it was expected that Khan would use every avenue available to avoid appearing before the commission, following reports of his readmission to hospital.

However, any decision on Khan’s appearance will ultimately rest with the commission, which has the authority to determine how best to proceed with its work.

Khan was also scheduled to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday in connection with a criminal charge relating to precious metals. He will not attend that court appearance because of his medical condition.

The Madlanga Commission has heard extensive testimony from police officers, investigators, politicians, businesspeople and other witnesses as it probes allegations of criminal networks operating within law enforcement structures and claims of political interference.

The inquiry was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate allegations concerning criminality, corruption and political interference in the criminal justice system.

Its proceedings have placed senior police figures under intense scrutiny, with testimony touching on alleged protection of criminal syndicates, manipulation of police structures, irregular appointments and interference with investigations.

The commission’s extended timetable means its work will continue beyond the original August 31 deadline.

For now, attention will turn to Wednesday’s proceedings before the seven-working-day recess begins.

Public hearings will resume on September 14, while the commission’s officials continue preparing evidence and documentation during the break.