The commission of inquiry into political interference in the investigation and prosecution of Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) cases has until July 31, 2026, to finalise its work.

On Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the late start of the commission, outstanding documentary responses, applications for cross-examination and a recess from mid-December 2025 to early January 2026.

As a result, Ramaphosa amended the terms of reference, which now require the commission to complete its work on May 29, 2026, and submit its report by July 31, 2026.

Last month, the first sitting of the commission of inquiry, chaired by Justice Sisi Khampepe, got off to a rocky start, after it was postponed to November 26, following an objection by the National Prosecuting Authority and the Minister of Justice to the involvement of chief evidence leader, Advocate Ishmael Semenya, in the proceedings of the commission.

In May Ramaphosa signed a proclamation for a judicial commission of inquiry chaired by Khampepe, assisted by retired Northern Cape Judge President Frans Diale Kgomo and Advocate Andrea Gabriel SC.

The original terms of reference of the commission provided that the commission would complete its work within a period of 180 days from the date of the Proclamation and submit its report to the President within 60 days after the date on which the commission completed its work.

Ramaphosa said the extension would aid the commission in completing its work without more delays and would provide the country with a “full account” of the circumstances that gave rise to the establishment of the commission.