The appearance of Medicare24 CEO Mike van Wyk before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry was postponed indefinitely on Monday, 22 June 2026, after his legal team submitted medical documentation citing severe panic attacks. Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga granted the request following an application by Van Wyk’s attorney, Sandy du Plessis, who confirmed that medical professionals have recommended urgent psychiatric admission for the CEO.
Medical Evidence And Legal Response
During the hearing, Ms Du Plessis informed the commission that her client had consulted with psychiatrist Dr Arnold Lawrence on 17 June. She stated, “Yesterday, when I finally spoke to the psychiatrist, Dr Lawrence, he said to me the patient needs to be admitted to the psychiatric unit at Jacaranda hospital, which has a separate psychiatric unit.”
Despite the postponement, evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson successfully moved to proceed with placing relevant evidence on the public record in Van Wyk’s absence. Addressing the risk of delays, Advocate Chaskalson remarked, “We have 30 days of evidence left. And if we lose today, that’s one out of 30 days that we will have lost.”
Context Of The Inquiry
The Madlanga Commission is currently investigating alleged corruption linked to a R360-million health risk management tender awarded to Medicare24 by the South African Police Service (SAPS). The proceedings have increasingly focused on ties between corporate entities and alleged underworld figures, including evidence suggesting communications between Van Wyk and Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala involving illicit substances.
While Van Wyk has formally denied receiving a video depicting cocaine bricks in an affidavit provided to the commission, the evidence leader continues to pursue the matter. The inquiry, which must complete its findings for President Cyril Ramaphosa within a strict timeframe, has set a deadline of 6 July 2026 for Van Wyk to submit a supplementary affidavit. The commission is expected to reschedule his testimony at a date yet to be determined, pending further medical assessments.