Parliament, Friday, 21 November 2025 – The Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate Allegations made by SAPS KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Head Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi concluded its proceedings this week with the testimony of Lt Gen Molefe Fani, the Divisional Commissioner for Supply Chain Management for the South African Police Services (SAPS).
On Tuesday, Ms Mary de Haas appeared before the committee to provide her testimony. Ms de Haas was cited by the suspended Minister of Police, Mr Senzo Mchunu, in his testimony. In her testimony, Ms de Haas corroborated Minister’s Mchunu testimony that she wrote a letter instructing him to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT). Ms de Haas admitted that she wrote to Minister Mchunu on 31 October requesting him to disband the PKTT. She said her decision to write the letter was based on observed irregularities. Members of the committee said her letter had a significant influence on the Minister’s decision to disband the PKTT. When pressed by members on the ramifications of her letter, she said she could not have known that the outcome of her letter would lead to the Minister’s decision to disband the PKTT. Ms de Haas said she was pleased with the outcome to disband the unit because the PKTT was irregularly constituted and lacked the necessary reporting structure for effective oversight.
Members of the committee took her to task for her refusal to provide the names of people who provide her with information and expressed their frustration on the matter. They said that without being provided with concrete evidence of names, her evidence would be hearsay. Committee members were disappointed by her unwillingness to cooperate and urged her to consider providing information in a closed session, if necessary. Ms de Haas vehemently refused, stating her ethical obligations as a researcher. She said revealing the names could jeopardise their safety and violate their confidentiality commitments.
On Wednesday, the committee heard the testimony of Mr Cedrick Nkabinde, Chief of Staff in the Office of the Minister of Police. Mr Nkabinde was recalled after his first appearance before the committee was suspended following his unsatisfactory testimony. He was unable to provide clarity on key matters, including the sequence of events relating to his contact with North West businessman Mr Brown Mogotsi. The committee found the evidence presented to be inconsistent and lacking in accuracy, particularly regarding matters that could have been easily verified through the Minister’s official diary.
On the matter regarding his resignation at Independent Police Investigative Directorate in South Africa (IPID), Mr Nkabinde said he had no option but to take the settlement agreement that was offered to him when he faced disciplinary proceedings as it preferrable to being fired. He told the committee that his suspension came after he wrote a report in 2018 related to unethical conduct against the then-executive director, Mr Robert McBride, who the report implicated to be colluding with Mr Paul O’Sullivan.
Members of the committee queried why Mr Nkabinde opted for the settlement rather than to clear his name, even if it meant going to court, as this could raise doubts about his innocence. In his response, he said it would not cause doubt, “instead of dealing with the serious misconduct, Mr McBride decided to settle with the junior member”.
Members suggested that Mr McBride be given the right to reply. This is based on the testimony of Mr Nkabinde and contradictions stemming from his testimony. Mr O’Sullivan is already on the list of witnesses and the committee will decide about adding Mr McBride.
Regarding the PKTT matter, Mr Nkabinde testified that after Minister Mchunu gave a directive to disband the PKTT, KwaZulu-Natal Commissioner Lt Gen Mkhwanazi asked him why he had allowed the Minister to issue the directive. Mr Nkabinde said: “Lt Gen Mkhwanazi asked that I speak to Minister Mchunu and request that he withdrew the directive. He indicated that the request came to him not as Chief of Staff but as someone who had known the Minister personally. In his testimony, Mr Nkabinde said Lt Gen Mkhwanazi warned that “if the Minister does not withdraw the directive, there will be a fightback”.
Pertaining to the Stilfontein meeting, Mr Nkabinde informed the committee that the meeting was arranged on 28 October 2024 related to an ongoing standoff involving illegal miners trapped underground at a gold mine in the North West. Minister Mchunu asked Mr Nkabinde to invite Mr Mogotsi to this meeting. Mr Mogotsi was meant to bring local leaders who could brief the Minister on the situation before a planned ministerial visit. In his testimony, Mr Nkabinde indicated that although he arranged the meeting, he did not attend it. Members queried his non-attendance as Chief of Staff. Committee members said Mr Nkabinde should have been present at the meeting and asked why it was held at the minister’s official residence in Pretoria rather than his office.
On Thursday, Lt Gen Fani appeared before the committee to provide evidence and clarify issues surrounding Medicare 24, a company owned by Mr “Cat” Matlala. During the session, committee members lambasted Lt Gen Fani, questioning him about the procurement process and the lack of background checks conducted on suppliers.
The committee expressed its concern about how Medicare 24, despite its sole director’s criminal record for theft and involvement in procurement fraud, was allowed to pass through the bid evaluation and adjudication committees without raising any red flags. Members inquired whether SAPS conducts basic criminal or background checks on its suppliers and bidders. Lt Gen Fani informed the committee that such checks are not standard practice for all bidders at SAPS.
Further questions and interrogations by the committee revealed that there is an ongoing criminal case involving Medicare 24 for forged signatures used during pre-employment medical screenings. When pursued about whether all recruits signed off by Medicare 24 underwent proper assessments, Lt Gen Fani stated he could not confirm this as he does not involve himself in operational matters.
Lt Gen Fani maintained that the evaluation process regarding Medicare 24 was followed accurately, despite his admission about the flaws in specific steps. He insisted that the responsibility for the quality of services rendered lies with the end user, not the procurement process. Committee members maintained that Lt Gen Fani, as head of supply chain management, bears the ultimate responsibility for the decision taken in the procurement process.
The Ad Hoc Committee will resume its proceedings next week on Tuesday in Pretoria at the Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility, where Mr Matlala will be providing his testimony.
ISSUED BY PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS MADE BY SAPS KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCIAL HEAD LIEUTENANT GENERAL NHLANHLA MKHWANAZI, MR SOVIET LEKGANYANE.
For interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Yoliswa Landu (Ms)
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E-mail: ylandu@parliament.gov.za
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