International Politics

PRETORIA - The parliamentary ad hoc committee probing KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s allegations has finalised its initial list of witnesses ahead of its first sitting next week.

MPs met on Friday to confirm who will testify before the committee, which will begin public hearings on October 7, with Mkhwanazi as the first witness.

National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola, suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, and his deputies Polly Boshielo and Cassel Mathale are among those scheduled to appear. This week, 13 additional potential witnesses were added. The list includes Mchunu’s Chief of Staff Cedric Nkabinde, President Cyril Ramaphosa and Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo.

It also names former Hawks boss Godfrey Lebeya, former police minister Nathi Mthethwa and former national police commissioner Khehla Sithole.

DA MP Dianne Kohler-Barnard and National Coloured Congress (NCC) leader Fadiel Adams are also on the list.

Most of these individuals were mentioned by Mkhwanazi during his testimony before the Madlanga Commission last week.

During Friday’s meeting, MPs suggested further names. MK Party’s David Skosana proposed his wife, former public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, and Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) officer Brian Padayachee.

DA MP Ian Cameron put forward Cape Town Safety and Security MMC JP Smith and former Crime Intelligence head Peter Jacobs.

EFF leader Julius Malema listed International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola, Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie, Deputy National Police Commissioner for Policing Tebello Mosikili, Crime Intelligence official Feroz Khan, IDAC head Andrea Johnson, DA MP Glynnis Breytenbach, and members of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police (including Cameron, the committee’s chairperson). Malema highlighted accusations that the police committee ignored Mkhwanazi’s allegations. Mkhwanazi previously raised claims about Mchunu’s alleged association with North West businessman Oupa ‘Brown’ Mogotsi — said to be linked to underworld figures — during a virtual meeting on March 5.

 Mchunu denied any association, referring to Mogotsi as ‘some fellow’ before later describing him as a “comrade” in July, after Mkhwanazi went public with allegations that prompted the establishment of both the ad hoc committee and the Madlanga Commission. “That committee is actually being accused of not having anything when they were told of these serious allegations, and by implication it means that Parliament, even when it was informed of these activities, did nothing.

“So, we want members of the committee to share some light with regard to that,” Malema said.

EFF leader Julius Malema argued that the additional list appeared to be sidelined because it included Ramaphosa, suggesting that the committee was trying to protect the president from accountability. (Pic: The Week)