/file/attachments/orphans/Felix_Grootes_584394.jpg)
Ramaphosa said he’d repair the criminal justice system — he failed:
President Cyril Ramaphosa has always claimed that he wanted to rebuild the criminal justice ...
dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-07-15-ramaphosa-said-hed-repair-the-criminal-justice-system-he-failed/
Photo: dailymaverick.co.za · view article
Ramaphosa’s Failed Overhaul of South Africa’s Justice SystemSince 2018, Ramaphosa’s controversial appointments have deepened crises in key justice institutions, undermining reform efforts and public trust.
Key FactsJul 16, 2026 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: dailymaverick.co.za
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: dailymaverick.co.za
- After taking office in 2018, Ramaphosa pledged to restore the criminal justice system damaged by corruption and state capture but failed to do so.
- Several key appointees, including NPA head Batohi and police commissioner Masemola, faced allegations of misconduct, suspension, or legal troubles under his watch.
- Ramaphosa’s reluctance to intervene at critical moments allowed illegal decisions and mismanagement to persist, weakening core institutions like the NPA and SAPS.
- This failure marks a lost opportunity to strengthen South Africa’s justice system and risks damaging public confidence for years to come.
Story Details
| Last Updated | |
| Total Articles | 2 |
Main Topics
News on this topic
South Africa: Ramaphosa Said He'd Repair the Criminal Justice System - He Failed: President Cyril Ramaphosa has always claimed that he wanted to rebuild the ...
allafrica.com/stories/202607160084.html
Similar to This
Previous
EWN Sep 30
‘It's time for good men to stop being silent men’: Ramaphosa in face of GBV scourge
ewn.co.za/2026/09/30/its-time-for-good-men-to-stop-being-silent-men-ramaphosa-in-face-of-gbv-scourge
An Open Letter to His Excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa: An open letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa calls for critical reforms in South Africa's criminal ...
mg.co.za/thought-leader/2026-09-22-an-open-letter-to-his-excellency-president-cyril-ramaphosa/
Ramaphosa extends Madlanga Commission deadline to January 2027: President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended the Madlanga Commission’s deadline to January 25, 2027 ...
iol.co.za/news/crime-and-courts/2026-09-19-ramaphosa-extends-madlanga-commission-deadline-to-january-2027/
Ramaphosa grants extension of Madlanga Commission report deadline: President Cyril Ramaphosa has granted an extension for the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry to ...
mg.co.za/news/2026-07-09-ramaphosa-grants-extension-of-madlanga-commission-report-deadline/
EWN Jun 03
DA on Ramaphosa's Presidency budget: 'Our criminal justice system is failing': Most opposition parties have rejected the Presidency’s budget that President Cyril ...
ewn.co.za/2026/06/03/da-on-ramaphosas-pesidency-budget-our-criminal-justice-system-is-failing
‘The emperor has no clothes’: MPs tear into Ramaphosa: Phala Phala impeachment probe overshadows the Presidency’s budget vote
timeslive.co.za/politics/2026-06-03-the-emperor-has-no-clothes-mps-tear-into-ramaphosa/
Ramaphosa receives Second Interim Report, heralding resumption of Madlanga Commission on Monday
iol.co.za/news/politics/2026-05-30-ramaphosa-receives-second-interim-report-heralding-resumption-of-madlanga-commission-on-monday/
Key FactsMadlanga Commission Resumes Key Hearings Monday
May 30, 2026 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: iol.co.za
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: iol.co.za
- The Madlanga Commission delivered its Second Interim Report to President Ramaphosa and will restart public hearings on June 1, 2026.
- The inquiry investigates allegations of crime, political interference, and corruption within the criminal justice system since July 2025.
- From January 2026, 32 witnesses have testified over 64 hearing days, including police and metropolitan officials.
- On June 2, an undercover witness requested protection of their identity to safeguard ongoing covert operations.
Paid articlePaywall Ad hoc leaders found ‘serious institutional crisis’, cite Ramaphosa’s ‘passive’ oversight
news24.com/politics/ad-hoc-leaders-found-serious-institutional-crisis-cite-ramaphosas-passive-oversight-20260529-0986
eNCA Mar 19
'SA criminal justice system needs to be restored' - Ramaphosa: President Cyril Ramaphosa has stressed the urgent need to restore the country's criminal justice ...
enca.com/news/sa-criminal-justice-system-needs-be-restored-ramaphosa
Ramaphosa grants Madlanga Commission extension until August as witness list piles up
iol.co.za/news/politics/2026-03-09-ramaphosa-grants-madlanga-commission-extension-until-august-as-witness-list-piles-up/
EWN Feb 20
Ramaphosa warns criminal syndicates, gangs: 'We'll deal with them': The first citizen told the joint sitting that his administration is in the process of ...
ewn.co.za/2026/02/20/ramaphosa-issues-stern-warning-to-criminal-syndicates-gangs-well-deal-with-them
EWN Feb 11
MPs question O’Sullivan’s reasons for relocating to SA, citizenship acquisition : Members of the ad hoc committee probing police corruption grilled him about his ...
ewn.co.za/2026/02/11/mps-question-o-sullivan-s-reasons-for-relocating-to-sa-citizenship-acquisition
Key FactsRamaphosa’s Police Reservist Training Revealed
Feb 10, 2026 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: citizen.co.za
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: citizen.co.za
- Paul O’Sullivan stated that he instructed President Cyril Ramaphosa during a police reservist training course in 1997.
- Ramaphosa participated in the training as a businessman and earned recognition as the top student.
- The training included key constitutional and Bill of Rights modules aimed at educating police officers.
- Although Ramaphosa helped draft the Constitution, the training was a mandatory procedural requirement for reservists.
He was a very good student.— Paul O’Sullivan speaking about Cyril Ramaphosa during the ad hoc committee hearing.
ActionSA MP highlights urgency over delayed witness appearances before Parliament
iol.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-02-03-actionsa-mp-highlights-urgency-over-delayed-witness-appearances-before-parliament/
OpinionEDITORIAL | Ramaphosa’s laudably quick Madlanga decision needs decisive follow-up
sundaytimes.timeslive.co.za/opinion-and-analysis/opinion/2026-01-31-editorial-ramaphosas-laudably-quick-madlanga-decision-needs-decisive-follow-up/
The Citizen Dec 18 25
Ramaphosa expects criminal referrals as Madlanga commission submits interim report
citizen.co.za/news/ramaphosa-receives-interim-report-of-madlanga-commission/
Key FactsRamaphosa Approves Immediate Criminal Referrals Amid Secrecy
Dec 15, 2025 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: dailymaverick.co.za
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: dailymaverick.co.za
- The Madlanga interim report remains confidential to allow the president sufficient time to review the findings thoroughly.
- The full and final report will be published after the commission completes its investigation, with national security concerns addressed.
- The commission holds extensive powers to gather evidence and can initiate prompt criminal investigations based on its findings.
- President Ramaphosa is eager for immediate prosecution of criminal cases, even ahead of the final report’s publication.
It will really be frivolous and time wasting, to be honest, and so we will urge those parties to be honest.— Vincent Magwenya, during a media briefing regarding the decision not to release the interim report.
EWN Dec 17 25
Ramaphosa awaits interim Madlanga report amid heightened witness security concerns
ewn.co.za/2025/12/17/ramaphosa-awaits-interim-madlanga-report-amid-heightened-witness-security-concerns
Chaskalson named new chief evidence leader for Madlanga commission of inquiry, replacing Motau
timeslive.co.za/politics/2025-09-30-chaskalson-named-new-chief-evidence-leader-for-madlanga-commission-of-inquiry-replacing-motau/
Why is the MK party fighting the Madlanga Commission?: The uMkhonto Wesizwe party maintains that its fight against the Madlanga Commission is not political ...
dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-09-17-mk-party-challenges-madlanga-commission-as-hearings-commence-in-pretoria/
Madlanga Commission opens in Pretoria, posing high stakes for Ramaphosa’s ANC: As the Madlanga Commission opens this week, all eyes turn to Pretoria ...
iol.co.za/news/politics/2025-09-14-madlanga-commission-opens-in-pretoria-posing-high-stakes-for-ramaphosas-anc/
Read the Sunday Times e-edition: There is so much more in the Sunday Times — have your pick, there is something for everyone.
timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/news/2025-05-11-read-the-sunday-times-e-edition/
Next