The Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate Allegations made by the South African Police Service KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, received an update report on Friday on preparations for its hearings, as well as a formal introduction to the evidence leaders who will spearhead the process.
Adv Norman Arendse SC will lead the team. with the assistance of Adv Maria Mokhaoetsi and Adv Lerato Zikalala.
The committee further heard that several witnesses have been identified and invitation letters have been sent to them. They include Lt Gen Mkhwanazi, National Commissioner Fannie Masemola, former Police Minister Mr Senzo Mchunu, Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, Police Minister Prof Firoz Cachalia, Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale and Deputy Police Minister Polly Boshielo.
Lt Gen Mkhwanazi indicated that due to his commitment to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, he is unavailable until 24 September 2025. The committee resolved that reasonable measures would be taken to ensure that Lt Gen Mkhwanazi appears before 22 September, as a late appearance would delay the committee’s work. In addition, a new commencement date for the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has not been made public. The committee re-affirmed its position that Lt Gen Mkhwanazi should be its first witness.
During the meeting, Chairperson Mr Molapi Soviet Lekgayane stated that no one has yet received a date for their appearance before the committee. In response to reports quoting Lt Gen Shadrack Sibiya saying he would testify on a particular date, the Chairperson said: “In the letter we sent out, we requested them to respond before August 3, because we considered the urgency as we had planned to start by 10 September,” he said.
Committee members asked Mr Lekgayane and the evidence leaders to continue trying to secure the availability of Lt Gen Mkhwanazi at an earlier date. Committee member Mr Julius Malema believes if Lt Gen Mkhwanazi is unwilling to make himself available for the hearings, he should be summoned to appear before the committee.
Another committee member, MK Party MP David Skosana, complained that former Police minister Bheki Cele had not been invited to testify, saying that the former minister should be among the first witnesses to testify. The committee resolved that the evidence leaders should start the process of engaging with Mr Cele to inform him of the request.
The committee also heard that the legal team has begun engaging with the witnesses regarding the sworn statements. The committee further resolved that former Police Minister Bheki Cele should be added to the list of witnesses identified to appear before the committee.
The meeting also heard a proposal that the Chairperson should start the process of requesting an extension to the committee’s lifespan for at least 30 days. Committee member Mr Xola Nqola said, while making this proposal, that this would be sensible in light of the unavailability of witnesses, as the committee has not been able to start the hearings at the date previously set. The committee is required to report on its findings to the National Assembly by no later than 31 October 2025.
Rajaa Azzakani
9 September 2025
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