Mkhwanazi to close chapter on criminal justice corruption inquiry

The parliamentary ad hoc committee established to investigate allegations of corruption within the criminal justice system will conclude its hearings this week. The final sessions feature the return of KwaZulu-Natal’s top police official, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, for his closing testimony.

It was Mkhwanazi’s explosive revelations during a press conference last year that served as the catalyst for the parliamentary inquiry. The now-infamous briefing on July 6 implicated several high-ranking public service individuals, ranging from Minister on special leave Senzo Mchunu to suspended Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya.

National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza initiated the establishment of the committee just days after Mkhwanazi’s initial public disclosures.

KEY WITNESSES AND TESTIMONY
Over the course of the inquiry, the committee has heard from several high-profile figures:

Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi: The first witness to provide oral evidence when hearings commenced on October 7 last year.

Bheki Cele: The former Police Minister testified regarding allegations that he received R500,000 in separate payments from alleged crime kingpin Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala.

Cedric Nkabinde: Mchunu’s Chief of Staff stands accused of interfering in police operations and allegedly supporting the disbandment of the political killings task team.

Robert McBride: The former head of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) was placed at the center of interference allegations. He is accused of targeting former Acting Commissioner Kgomotso Phahlane to block his appointment as National Commissioner.

Paul O’Sullivan: The forensic investigator faced intense questioning regarding criminal interference in the South African Police Service (SAPS). The committee has since laid criminal charges against O’Sullivan for contempt of Parliament after he stormed out of proceedings.

Committee Chairperson Soviet Lekganyane confirmed on Friday that the hearings will wrap up this week. National Commissioner Fannie Masemola is scheduled to appear on Tuesday at 10:00, followed by Mkhwanazi’s final submission on Wednesday.

"General Masemola is coming here next week, Tuesday at 10 o’clock," Lekganyane stated.

Mkhwanazi will then return to close the hearings on Wednesday before the next phase of the committee.

Following Wednesday’s testimony, the committee will shift its focus to a draft report encompassing all evidence presented. President Cyril Ramaphosa is also expected to provide a written submission on Monday, ahead of Masemola’s evidence.

Technical team member Christine Silkestone confirmed during a housekeeping meeting last week that the drafting process is already underway. She noted that the document is being updated continuously as the inquiry progresses.

"The report will be descriptive and organisational," Silkestone explained. "Although it is analytical, it doesn’t address the credibility of any of the evidence that was presented or try to evaluate the evidence from that perspective."

The report will be strictly aligned with the committee’s terms of reference. The adoption process is expected to take several weeks, culminating in a final report with formal recommendations to be presented to the National Assembly for consideration.