An agreement reached between the Madlanga Commission and legal representatives of the media houses allows Lieutenant-Colonel Duma, formerly known as Witness I, to testify via audio link while shielding his identity from public view, marking a significant victory for press freedom and open justice.
On Monday, 1 June 2026, Police Commission Chairman Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga ruled that Lieutenant-Colonel Duma's name could be published for the duration of his testimony, while measures were taken to protect his identity as an undercover Crime Intelligence operative.
The decision came after Daily Maverick and Media24 opposed Duma's application to have his testimony heard entirely in camera, meaning no aspects of his testimony would be released.
Dumas is now due to present his case on Tuesday, 2 June 2026, and his testimony is expected to be at the center of the saga surrounding the theft of R200 million worth of cocaine from a Hawks property in KwaZulu-Natal, which has become one of the commission's most closely watched cases.
Keep up with the latest headlines WhatsApp | Linkedin
Read more 'Shameful' R200m cocaine theft was eighth break-in at Hawks building, police tell commission May 6, 2026 Reading the agreement between media companies and the commission's evidence leaders into the record, Madlanga said: “While the arrangement tried to balance concerns for the safety and privacy of witnesses, it also ensured that journalists and the public had the opportunity to investigate allegations of criminality, corruption and political interference within the criminal justice system.” Access to evidence presented before the Commission should be maintained…