Members of the Ad Hoc committee established to investigate allegations made by the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, could yesterday not agree on the amount of time it will need to complete its work. The committee therefore accepted Speaker of the National Assembly Ms Thoko Didiza’s extension of the committee’s term until 30 April 2026.
Committee Chairperson Mr Molapi Soviet Lekganyani said the committee could not agree on an alternative date and resolved that the most practical way forward would be to work towards the deadline set by the Speaker, while assessing progress closer to that date.
The committee heard that some of the challenges includes the fact that not all transcriptions for the hearings are available yet from the service provider.
Some committee members were of the view that the extension should be longer, towards the end of May or middle of June, in order for deliberations and report writing to occur in a conducive environment and taking the busy parliamentary programme into account with annual performance plans and budgets coming up soon in committees.
Adv Glynnis Breytenbach said it would be embarrassing if the committee needs to request another postponement at the end of this month, a view supported by two other committee members, Mr Wouter Wessels and Mr Mangaqa Mncwango.
A contrary view, supporting the Speaker’s proposal, came from Mr Mdumiseni Ntuli. He suggested that meetings could be held during the parliamentary recess and budget period in order to meet the deadline.
Mr Lekganyane said committee members were given two opportunities to discuss the proposed deadline. “In this meeting, it emerges that there is no agreement on the end date for this committee. As it stands now, we will work until the date the Speaker has given,” he emphasised.
The committee further resolved that the extension will be used solely for its internal deliberations and the finalisation of its report. It was also agreed that the process for oral testimony will not be reopened during this period.
According to the Chairperson, the technical team will prepare the draft report and report on the progress made. “At that time, the committee can make a determination based on the progress presented and go back to the Speaker to tell her this is the amount of work to be done, and we think if we are given X number of days, we will be able to conclude our work.”
In addition, the committee considered correspondence from Mr Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s legal representatives regarding messages from his phone presented by the South African Police Service (SAPS), as well as a request from Ms Sarah-Jane Trent for her evidence to be withdrawn in its entirety on the basis of post-traumatic stress disorder.
The committee resolved that Mr Matlala should obtain the messages directly from SAPS, as they were submitted as part of the evidence. Regarding Ms Trent, the committee noted that she had been given several opportunities to pause the proceedings but chose to continue; therefore, her evidence will remain on record.
Members of the committee will be informed of the date of the next committee meeting.
Rajaa Azzakani
1 April 2026
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