South Africans deserve the truth.

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System was established to investigate allegations that criminal syndicates infiltrated key law enforcement and intelligence institutions and to determine whether senior officials or members of the national executive failed to act, acted unlawfully, or allowed these institutions to be compromised.

The Commission's own Terms of Reference require it to investigate failures of oversight, failures to act on credible intelligence, and, where appropriate, the role of members of the national executive. It also has the power to summon witnesses whose evidence is necessary to fulfil its mandate.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is the Head of State, Head of the National Executive and Commander-in-Chief of the South African National Defence Force. He appoints key members of the executive responsible for policing, intelligence and criminal justice, and occupies a unique constitutional position in relation to the institutions now under scrutiny.

For this reason, the United Civic Movement (UCM), formally requested the Commission to summon President Ramaphosa as a witness. Our request explained that his testimony could assist the Commission in addressing matters that fall squarely within its mandate.

The Commission responded by referring us to the procedures for submitting evidence under Rule 6. We subsequently clarified that our request was made under Rule 9.1 of the Commission's Rules, which specifically allows any person to request that a particular witness be called, provided reasons and the likely value of that witness's evidence are supplied.

We believe that hearing directly from the President would:

1. Demonstrate that no one is above accountability.
2. Strengthen public confidence in the independence and credibility of the Commission.
3. Allow South Africans to hear, under oath, what the President knew, when he knew it, and what actions
4. were taken in response to concerns affecting the criminal justice system.
5. Assist the Commission in fully discharging its constitutional mandate.
6. This petition is not a call to prejudge anyone's guilt or innocence.

It is a call for openness, accountability and equal treatment before the law.

Public confidence in our democratic institutions depends on leaders being willing to account for their actions when questions of national importance arise.

If ordinary South Africans can be called to testify before commissions of inquiry, then the President should also be prepared to answer questions relevant to the Commission's mandate.

Justice must not only be done—it must be seen to be done.

We therefore call upon Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga and the Commissioners to exercise their powers under the Commission's Rules and summon President Cyril Ramaphosa to appear before the Commission and testify under oath.

Because in a constitutional democracy,

No One Is Above The Law.

 
Our Demands

We call upon the Madlanga Commission to:

Formally summon President Cyril Ramaphosa to testify before the Commission.
Ensure that his testimony addresses matters falling within the Commission's Terms of Reference.
Demonstrate, through its actions, that accountability applies equally to every person, regardless of office or status.
Reinforce public confidence by ensuring that the Commission's work is thorough, transparent and impartial.
 
Sign this petition if you believe:

✅ Accountability must apply equally to everyone.

✅ The truth strengthens democracy.

✅ South Africans deserve transparent leadership.

✅ No One Is Above The Law.

 

Issued by:

United Civic Movement (UCM)

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