The Pretoria High Court has dismissed the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party’s urgent application to stop the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, ruling in favour of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
A full bench found that the matter lacked urgency and struck it from the roll. The MK Party had sought to halt the inquiry, which began on Wednesday, arguing that it was unconstitutional and objecting to the appointment of Professor Firoz Cachalia as Police Minister.
Delivering judgment, Judge Ronel Tolmay said the case required careful judicial consideration and that rushing it through the urgent court process would not serve the interests of justice.
Tolmay emphasized that there is sufficient recourse available should the president’s executive decisions later be found unlawful.
“The court is empowered to grant a just and equitable remedy in due course,” she said, adding that the public can take comfort in steps being taken to safeguard against further malfeasance.
The ruling effectively clears the way for the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry to continue its work without further immediate legal obstacles