The Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has moved a step closer to finalising its work this week after concluding a full day of deliberations on its preliminary draft report.
Committee Chairperson Mr Molapi Soviet Lekganyane emphasised that the inquiry has been guided by Parliament’s constitutional oversight responsibility and the need to strengthen public confidence in the institution. “The work of this parliamentary inquiry must uphold the integrity of Parliament and reaffirm its oversight function,” he said. “We must vigorously demonstrate our intention to reinstate public confidence in the ability of Parliament to play its oversight responsibilities.”
During Wednesday’s meeting, political parties provided input on the assessment of evidence. They also proposed findings on the evidence before them. The committee’s content team will now consolidate all the submissions into a final draft report. Mr Lekganyane said the draft report is expected to be circulated to members on Monday. All committee members will then have an opportunity to study it before the committee reconvenes, possibly on Wednesday, to consider the amendments before the report will be sent to affected persons.
“To a large extent, Members agreed with the broad thrust of the assessment that has been made by our evidence leaders and the content team. Of course, there are important additions made where some aspects were lacking or inadequate,” Mr Lekganyane said.
He highlighted that only one committee member, Mr David Skosana, who supported the proposed findings and recommendations from the evidence leaders.
During the meeting, committee member Mr Mdumiseni Ntuli said the report should clearly distinguish between issues on which members reached consensus and those where differing views remained. “What will be urgent is to deal with the areas of divergence,” he said.
Once adopted by the committee, the draft report will be forwarded to parties implicated during the inquiry for comment over a period of 10 days, in keeping with the principles of procedural fairness.
Mr Lekganyane explained that the version shared with implicated parties would contain the committee’s assessment, analysis of evidence and proposed findings, but would exclude the recommendations at that stage. He emphasised that while the committee would carefully consider any responses received, it would independently determine its recommendations. “They will help us arrive at certain recommendations,” he said, referring to the submissions expected from the implicated parties.
Committee member Ms Leigh-Ann Mathys argued that requests for additional resources, including forensic investigative capacity and psycho-social support services for witnesses, should be reflected in the report. She said documenting these challenges would assist Parliament in strengthening future inquiries.
Other members, however, expressed the view that the report should primarily focus on the committee’s mandate and findings.
Mr Ntuli suggested that any discussion on resources should be based on decisions reflected in the committee’s official records and the interventions made by the Office of the Speaker. Another committee member, Adv Glynnis Breytenbach, said the report should rather capture lessons learnt without drawing attention to internal administrative matters.
Member Ms Dereleen James added that the committee’s recommendations should reinforce public confidence in Parliament’s oversight work.
The Patriotic Alliance’s Ashley Sauls says there is no proof before the committee that former Police minister Mr Senzo Mchunu is part of a cartel and called for fairness in how it deals with the minister. “Regarding the big five drug cartel, there remains an absolute absence of direct forensic or digital evidence linking former minister Mchunu’s executive decision to any illicit network.”
At the start of the meeting, the committee discussed matters that arose after the conclusion of evidence and public hearings. Mr Lekganyane confirmed that the committee would consider developments that arose after the conclusion of the evidence-gathering phase before adopting its final report. These include evidence presented by committee member Mr Vusi Shongwe before the Madlanga Commission, concerns raised by witnesses regarding aspects of the inquiry, and other relevant developments, including the reported plea agreement involving Mr Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
The matter was raised by Ms Mathys, indicating that Mr Shongwe gave the impression that another committee member, Mr Julius Malema, was responsible for Maj-Gen Feroz Khan not appearing before the committee as a witness. Adv Breytenbach raised the matter of the protection of witnesses.
Rajaa Azzakani
3 July 2026
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