The Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate Allegations made by the South African Police Service KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, yesterday kicked off its oral public hearings.
The meeting commenced with a heated start and delays over some details in Lt Gen Mkhwanazi’s statement and oath. Some errors were in noted in the witness statement and the wording. The committee adjourned for several minutes, holding talks behind closed doors as it tried to sort out any legal technicalities.
Committee Chairperson Mr Molapi Soviet Lekganyane, indicated that the committee could not start on time due to challenges with documentation. “We want to apologise to South Africans at large for not being able to start on time. We have sorted the hiccups out now and all indications are that our meetings will not have the same challenges. Furthermore, the committee closed the meeting for a short period to deal with housekeeping matters.”
Committee member Mr Julius Malema questioned the lack of an original statement from Lt Gen Mkhwanazi. Mr Malema said the statement provided by the evidence leader should be original and not a supplementary statement with inclusions from the Madlanga Commission, where Lt Gen Mkhwanazi has already appeared.
He went so far as to call for the removal of evidence leader, Adv Norman Arendse, SC. ‘I really have no confidence in him for what he did now. We must change him. To argue with us and argue with you and you allow that,” he said.
Another Committee Member, Mr Sibonelo Nomvalo, also voiced his unhappiness over the lack of the statement the included the words “supplementary statement”. “Let me start by sharing my deepest discontent, as well, that we are starting on a very bad note. From the word go, we are messing things.”
After a delay of several hours, the proceedings kicked off with Lt Gen Mkhwanazi taking the oath and testifying before the committee.
The committee heard for hours testimony from Lt Gen Mkhwanazi on, among other things, the sudden order to disband the Political Killings Task Team, allegations of political interference and the involvement of criminals in decision-making processes.
The committee also heard calls that one of its member’s should recuse herself as Lt Gen Mkhwanazi has implicated her. The Democratic Alliance indicated that it would consider the matter and inform the committee of its decision today.
The hearings continue today with members of the committee being given an opportunity to question Lt Gen Mkhwanazi.
Rajaa Azzakani
8 October 2025
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