Madlanga Commission considers summoning doctors over dubious sick notes

Commissioners at the Madlanga Commission have questioned the legitimacy of a medical certificate produced by a crime intelligence officer who failed to appear due to illness on Wednesday. The witness, who is responsible for managing agents and informants at the South African Police Service (SAPS), left commissioners frustrated when they could not read some parts of his sick note. This led to a discussion of potentially summoning all medical professionals who issue medical certificates excusing witnesses from testifying, to verify their authenticity.

The commission has faced repeated delays after at least three witnesses submitted medical certificates to postpone their testimony. These include the unnamed crime intelligence officer whose certificate was criticised as unclear. Witness F, who submitted a doctor’s note citing hospitalisation and businessman Brown Mogotsi, whose legal team also produced a medical certificate to explain his absence.

Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels expressed growing concern over the rising pattern of illnesses that result in postponements, delaying the work of the commission. “The commission has very important business, and there is a risk that this may become a recurring theme. These witnesses, persons of interest to the commission, are meant to be testifying, and we cannot have a situation where we keep getting certificates like this,” said Michaels. Attorneys representing the witness were requested by the commissioners to provide a valid medical certificate on Thursday.