The Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate Allegations made by SAPS KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi resumed hearings yesterday. The day featured oral submissions, the committee’s first for the year, with evidence from former Acting National Commissioner of SAPS, Lt Gen Khomotso Phahlane.
The committee planned one day for the engagement, but could not conclude matters with Lt Gen Phahlane. The committee resolved to discuss a suitable date to finalise the matter at its Monday housekeeping meeting.
Proceedings were led throughout the day by the committee’s Evidence Leader, Advocate Norman Arendse SC, who has not yet concluded this phase of submissions. Committee members will have the opportunity to engage with Lt Gen Phahlane once this process is completed.
Lt Gen Phahlane is the first of six witnesses expected to appear during this second round of oral evidence. The remaining witnesses are Lt Gen Dumisani Khumalo, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department Deputy Chief Mr Julius Mkhwanazi, Mr Robert McBride, Mr Brown Mogotsi, and Mr Paul O’Sullivan.
At the outset of proceedings, Lt Gen Phahlane requested additional time to present his evidence, indicating that he did not wish to rush through the issues. He emphasised the importance of providing adequate context following his 168-page affidavit, noting the significant time he had taken to compile it.
The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Molapi Soviet Lekganyane, let members consider the request. It was agreed that the committee would utilise the allocated day and assess progress before making any determination on the need for additional time. “The committee is not averse to granting an additional day for engagement. However, it is too early to make that decision. All previous witnesses were afforded sufficient time to make their submissions,” Mr Lekganyane assured Lt Gen Phahlane.
Lt Gen Phahlane focused much of his testimony on his suspension by then Minister of Police, Mr Fikile Mbalula. He claimed the suspension was unlawful and lacked a legal basis, stating he should never have been asked to “step aside” in 2017. The committee heard the suspension followed corruption and police interference allegations, after which he was dismissed.
Lt Gen Phahlane also addressed issues relating to the procurement of a multimillion-rand software and camera equipment contract. He told the committee that R24 million, plus interest, was paid to a service provider that failed to deliver a single camera to SAPS. According to Lt Gen Phahlane, this payment occurred during the 2018/2019 period, while he was already suspended, yet the transaction is being attributed to him. The contract dates back to 2014, when the SAPS Forensic Services Division identified a need for specialised cameras to document crime scenes. A contract valued at approximately R92.8 million was awarded to Ethemba Forensic Group. Lt Gen Phahlane was accused of recklessly and intentionally stalling the implementation of the contract.He further repeated allegations, first made last year, that forensic investigator Mr Paul O’Sullivan and former Independent Police Investigative Directorate head Mr Robert McBride conspired against him to position Mr McBride as National Commissioner.
Proceedings were at times heated, with tense exchanges between Adv Arendse and Lt Gen Phahlane. The Chairperson and committee members, at times, had to intervene, calling for calm and a renewed focus on the mandate. The Chairperson urged both parties to engage constructively during consultations to find an amicable way forward that would assist the committee in executing its work.
One member of the committee, Mr Julius Malema, raised strong concerns about the evidence leader's attitude toward Lt Gen Phahlane. He said no other witness or person appearing before the committee was treated in a manner he regarded as inappropriate. Other committee members, including Mr Mdumiseni Ntuli and Adv Glynnis Breytenbach, questioned the relevance of the information being presented to the committee’s mandate.
Mr Lekganyane also outlined the programme for the next two weeks, with Lt Gen Khumalo appearing next, followed by Mr Robert McBride and Mr Julius Mkhwanazi.
The Ad Hoc Committee was established under National Assembly Rule 253 to investigate allegations made by Lt Gen Mkhwanazi. It was granted an extension until 20 February to conclude its work.
Rajaa Azzakani
15 January 2026
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