Woolies cash bags and info peddlers: Madlanga musings with Karyn Maughan

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Another high-profile commission of inquiry wasn’t on our news bingo cards for 2025.But we’re not surprised another one was established, either. Born out of two parts: one, News24 picking up slain whistleblower Babita Deokaran’s investigation into the Tembisa Hospital extraction scandal, and two, KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s bombshell press conference, the Madlanga Commission is very much the impactful sequel to the Zondo Inquiry. Except, this time, this commission has taken us to the heart of this country’s problem all along, a politically and criminally compromised law enforcement and judicial system. One of the country’s best journos, who’s held our hands throughout the commission, is our very own specialist legal writer, Karyn Maughan, our guest in this special end-of-year edition of The Lead. You can send our host, broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer, a voice note with your questions or thoughts on the show: 072 562 3179. To advertise in the show: thelead@24.com. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.
23 Dec 2025 English South Africa News · Society & Culture

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