The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has raised serious concerns about the validity of medical certificates submitted by witnesses, with calls for stricter oversight.

The controversy erupted after Investigative Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) head Andrea Johnson's medical certificate was scrutinized following her absence from a scheduled hearing.Similarly, businessman Suliman Carrim was reportedly seen in a shopping mall despite submitting a certificate.

Commission chair Mbuyiseli Madlanga criticized the certificates for providing no meaningful information, stating they are 'useless' in legal proceedings.

The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) noted that while 2% of complaints against medical practitioners involve fraudulent certificates, the majority of professionals adhere to ethical standards.The HPCSA's 2024/25 report revealed only 1.4% of complaints related to medical certificates.The South African Medical Association (SAMA) emphasized the need to protect patient confidentiality while supporting accountability.The commission may subpoena doctors to verify certificate authenticity, balancing legal requirements with privacy protections.This issue highlights tensions between transparency in legal processes and ethical medical practice.