Ad hoc committee returns to finalise witness list, Ramaphosa’s submission

Parliament's ad hoc committee investigating allegations of corruption in the criminal justice system, returns on Monday to finalise its witness list, as well as President Cyril Ramaphosa's submission.

The committee will meet to discuss normal housekeeping matters, including questions members of the committee have submitted to Ramaphosa and the correspondence received so far.

The committee meets after a brief hiatus due to a busy Parliament schedule in recent weeks, which included the State of the Nation Address (SONA) and the three-day debate and response by Ramaphosa.

While Ramaphosa is not a material witness or implicated, members still want him to respond to issues around the disbanding of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).

Some members of the committee had called for Ramaphosa to appear in person, but the idea was not agreed to.

Members who were opposed to the idea stated that Ramaphosa was not in any way implicated and written submissions would be more than adequate.

But parties were given a deadline on when they should submit their specific question to the president, who will also respond before the hearings conclude.

One of the pertinent questions to be put to Ramaphosa is his knowledge of minister on special leave, Senzo Mchunu's December 2024 directive that the PKTT must be disbanded immediately.

Mchunu, during his testimony, told the committee that Ramaphosa had agreed with his decision and never expressed any concerns.

The committee will conclude its business on 31 March, after being granted another extension.