Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read | 28 October 2025 | 13:05 CAT

📸Professor Sipho Seepe says South Africa’s commissions of inquiry have drifted from truth-seeking to political theatre, serving as “spaces of repentance rather than accountability.”

As South Africa launches yet another judicial inquiry – the Madlanga Commission – questions are being raised about whether these costly commissions still serve their intended purpose.

Political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe says the country has reached a point where “commissions of inquiry are appointed at the drop of a hat,” often without delivering real accountability or justice. Speaking to Radio Islam International, he warned that these inquiries have drifted from their original mandate and have become more about politics than truth.

“Commissions of inquiry play a very critical role in trying to find the causes of social strife,” Seepe explained. “They are not meant to deal with criminality; that’s the role of law enforcement. But over time, they have drifted away from fact-finding and become spaces of forgiveness rather than accountability.”

Seepe pointed to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission as the starting point of this shift. “Here you had people who committed crimes against humanity being told, ‘You are forgiven if you tell us the truth.’ That was the first deviation from what commissions are supposed to do.”

He cautioned that commissions such as Zondo and Madlanga are increasingly seen as political tools rather than mechanisms of justice. “Instead of punishing wrongdoers, these platforms have become places of repentance. People go there, confess, and walk away. The public sees this and begins to lose faith in the process.”

Another major flaw, Seepe argues, lies in the fact that none of the commissions’ recommendations are binding in law. “The evidence leaders may work hard and make strong recommendations, but there is nothing that compels government to act on them,” he said. “You can accept or reject them, it’s that simple.”

When asked if the Madlanga Commission will be effective, Seepe was blunt. “From the perspective of holding people accountable, it will be very ineffective. But politically, it will be effective it becomes another arena for comrades to fight each other. It’s political bloodletting disguised as justice.”

He added that the inquiries have also become powerful propaganda tools. “They are now used to malign certain individuals while promoting others. The Zondo Commission, for instance, presented Ramaphosa as a saviour, yet corruption under his leadership has deepened,” Seepe remarked.

Seepe says these commissions, while necessary in principle, have lost their way. “They create angels and demons,” he concluded. “But seldom do they deliver truth, justice, or closure for ordinary South Africans.”

Listen to the full interview on Sabahul Muslim with Moulana Ibrahim Daya and Professor Sipho Seepe.