Ad Hoc committee’s lifespan probing Mkhwanazi’s allegations extended

Share the Article:

The Ad Hoc Committee probing allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has been granted an extension until 28 November 2025 in order to complete its work.

This comes after the committee met on Wednesday night to receive reports on the legal opinion on the participation of certain members, its request for an extension of the committee’s lifespan and the identification of further witnesses, among other things.

The committee was initially given until the end of October to finalise its work.

In a statement issued, members welcomed this extension, as it provides for additional time for the committee to execute its mandate.

“Regarding the legal opinion on the participation of “conflicted” members, it reads: “… in the circumstances, we hasten to opine that the cases that were opened by the affected members before the initiation of the subject enquiry, do not exhibit bias or give rise to a reasonable apprehension thereof.”

“The opinion further reads that in the view of a reasonable observer, “if aware of these cases, would consider that they were registered before the commencement of the committee hearings.

ALSO READ | Gauteng rebuke Mkhwanazi’s on AmaPanyaza’s legality

“Such observer would also be aware of the fact that the cases were registered, not in the context of the enquiry, but in the context of apparent contradictory versions made by Mr Mchunu, MP, both in the public domain and before a committee of Parliament regarding his association with Mr Brown Mogotsi.

“Moreover, it is the National Prosecuting Authority that will determine whether there are any prospects of success in prosecuting the said cases,” the statement read.

Public participation on Mkhwanazi’s allegations

Meanwhile, so far 325 submissions have been received for the public participation process with the deadline for input from the public on Lt Gen Mkhwanazi’s allegations set for Friday, 17 October.
 
The oral hearings are scheduled to continue on Thursday with the testimony of Minister Senzo Mchunu.

Next week, the committee is expected to hear from former Police Minister Gen Bheki Cele. The committee also finalised a list of high-ranking SAPS officials that will be called to appear before the committee.