The week ahead: Idac under the Madlanga microscope

Anyone watching the Madlanda commission of inquiry into the police will have been horrified at the mess that law enforcement in South Africa has devolved into. This week, brace for more revelations, as high-risk whistleblowers take the stand. Here’s what else is on the cards in the days ahead.

Politics

Madlanga commission to continue with in-camera hearings

The Madlanga commission will continue this week with closed-door sessions to protect high-risk whistleblowers. The testimony is expected to focus on the National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (Idac), looking at the alleged improper behaviour of senior Idac investigators and Idac head Andrea Johnson.

ANC to finalise its mayoral candidates list

The ANC will spend the week finalising its mayoral candidate selection process and is expected to announce its candidates on July 20. According to party insiders, the Joburg candidacy is a two-horse race between Frank Chikane and current deputy mayor Loyiso Masuku, with mayor Dada Morero in third place. Chikane is seen by some in the ANC as a neutral choice to sidestep the factionalism between the Morero and Masuku camps.

Municipal financial crises drag on

While finance minister Enoch Godongwana confirmed last Friday that many municipalities would have their equitable share payments unblocked, more than half of the municipalities on the original list have still not satisfied National Treasury’s requirements. The City of Joburg is one of the municipalities whose equitable share grant remains blocked.

If errant municipalities cannot convince Treasury of coherent turnaround plans within the next two weeks, they could face a cash crunch. Joburg currently has less than two weeks of cash reserves and owes billions to Eskom and various other creditors.

Impeachment committee to oppose Ramaphosa’s urgent application

The impeachment committee on the section 89 inquiry into the Phala Phala matter will oppose President Cyril Ramaphosa’s urgent application to halt the committee’s work. The matter will be heard in the Western Cape High Court on Wednesday and Thursday. The committee maintains that it is bound by the Constitutional Court to continue its work and will do so unless a court rules otherwise.

Economics

Mining production (May 2026)

Stats SA will release May’s mining figures on Tuesday morning. The sector is not expected to match the 8.2% year-on-year growth that it recorded in April, but it could come close due to the sustained performance of platinum group metals.

This article is published courtesy of The South Africa Brief, a political newsletter published on Substack which is a collaboration between Paul Berkowitz and Jonathan Moakes. It provides analysis and insight into the new, uncertain era of South African politics heralded by the 2024 general election. Including a specific focus on municipal politics, it will provide full analysis in the run-up to this year’s municipal polls. 

_{Top image collage: Rawpixel; Currency.}