Advocate Terry Motau Step Down from Madlanga Commission Over Budget Woes
Advocate Terry Motau has opened up about his decision to step aside as chief evidence leader of the Madlanga Commission. He points to serious budget shortfalls as the main reason, saying the R147 million set aside by the Department of Justice falls far short of what is needed for such a big probe. The commission, set up by President Cyril Ramaphosa, is looking into claims that criminal groups have wormed their way into Gauteng’s justice system, working hand-in-hand with politicians and top police officials.
Motau’s exit comes just weeks after the commission kicked off, sparking worries about its smooth running and independence. But he insists he has full faith in the team still on board and believes the inquiry can still get to the bottom of the rot. This story dives into why Motau left, what it means for the commission, and the latest twists in the hearings.
Background on the Madlanga Commission
The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry got the green light from President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier this year to dig into deep-rooted problems in Gauteng’s criminal justice setup. Chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, it focuses on allegations of corruption, political meddling, and criminal syndicates cosy with senior cops and lawmakers. The probe aims to shine a light on how these networks might be undermining law enforcement and justice in the province.
Hearings started in Pretoria on 17 September 2025, a bit later than the planned 1 September date. Early witnesses included National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola and others linked to crime intelligence. The commission has a six-month deadline to wrap up, but recent hitches, like a key witness falling ill, have pushed things back. Crime Intelligence boss Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo was due to testify but got sick, leading to a break until 13 October 2025.
Experts say this kind of inquiry needs solid funding to hire investigators, protect witnesses, and handle mountains of evidence. Past commissions, like the Zondo one on state capture, faced similar money headaches, teaching lessons that Motau feels were not heeded here.
Motau’s Reasons for Stepping Aside
Advocate Terry Motau broke his silence in a radio chat on 2 October 2025, explaining that budget worries were at the heart of his choice to bow out. He told the host that the R147 million budget from the justice department was “not a lot of money for a task such as this one.” Motau stressed that without clear and enough funds, the commission could struggle to do its job properly.
He also mentioned other admin snags, like uncertainty over how the money would be doled out. “For me, nothing was working,” he said, adding that he saw his role as an “act of service” but felt he had no option but to pull out. Motau flagged these issues to Justice Madlanga on 11 September 2025, over a week before he grilled Masemola in the hearings.
Despite the gripes, Motau made it clear he holds no grudges and trusts the remaining team to push on. “It’s not about what is said, it’s about what can be proven. It’s very early days,” he noted, underlining that solid proof is key to uncovering the truth. Some online chatter hinted at a pay cut being a factor, but Motau downplayed money as the sole driver, focusing instead on broader admin woes.
Motau, a top silk known for his hard-hitting report on the VBS Mutual Bank scandal called “The Great Bank Heist,” lasted less than 10 days in the hot seat before asking to leave. He had been asked to think twice but stuck to his guns.
The Commission’s Response and New Leadership
The Madlanga Commission played it cool on internal matters, saying it would not let talk of cracks derail its work. Spokesperson Jeremy Michaels kept mum on details, stressing the focus stays on the probe. The team thanked Motau for his input and wished him well.
Stepping into his shoes is Advocate Matthew Chaskalson SC, a seasoned pro who has led evidence at big inquiries like Marikana and the Zondo Commission on state capture. Chaskalson brings a wealth of know-how in handling tricky corruption cases, which could steady the ship as hearings resume.
Concerns from Analysts and Potential Fallout
Political watchers have voiced fears that Motau’s exit might shake the commission’s standing and spark more walkouts. One expert warned that such hiccups could slow things down and raise doubts about independence, especially with high-stakes claims involving top brass. Delays from staff changes need planning, they say, but the probe should brace for bumps.
The presidency has stayed quiet on snap judgements, noting it’s too soon to act on early allegations. With Khumalo’s testimony on hold due to illness, the commission faces more hold-ups, but insiders say it is geared to meet its goals.
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