Mkhwanazi Inquiry: Witness List Sparks Debate as MPs Question Length
The parliamentary ad hoc committee investigating KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s allegations is facing scrutiny as Members of Parliament (MPs) debate the extensive witness list. The committee is set to begin public hearings on October 7th, with Mkhwanazi scheduled to be the first to testify.
Key Figures Called to Testify
The initial witness list includes prominent figures such as National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola, suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and his deputies, Polly Boshielo and Cassel Mathale, are also expected to appear before the committee. Furthermore, 13 additional potential witnesses have been added to the list, increasing its complexity.
- Cedric Nkabinde, Mchunu’s chief of staff, is among the new additions.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa and Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo have also been proposed as witnesses.
- Former Hawks boss Godfrey Lebeya, former police minister Nathi Mthethwa, and former national police commissioner Khela Sithole are included.
- DA MP Dianne Kohler-Barnard and National Coloured Congress (NCC) leader Fadiel Adams are also named.
Proposed Additions and Political Wrangling
During a recent meeting, MPs suggested even more names for consideration. MK Party’s David Skosana proposed his wife, former public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, and Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) officer Brian Padayachee. DA MP Ian Cameron suggested Cape Town Safety and Security MMC JP Smith and former Crime Intelligence head Peter Jacobs.
EFF leader Julius Malema introduced a comprehensive list including International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola, Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie, Deputy National Police Commissioner for Policing Tebello Mosikili, Crime Intelligence official Feroz Khan, IDAC head Andrea Johnson, DA MP Glynnis Breytenbach, and members of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police. Malema specifically addressed accusations that the police committee had previously ignored Mkhwanazi’s allegations.
"That committee is actually being accused of not having anything when they were told of these serious allegations, and by implication it means that Parliament, even when it was informed of these activities, did nothing," - Julius Malema, EFF Leader
ANC Cautions Against an Overly Broad Scope
ANC chief whip Mdumiseni Ntuli cautioned against expanding the witness list too extensively, emphasizing the importance of staying within the committee’s terms of reference. He argued that adding names before Mkhwanazi testifies would be premature and potentially unproductive. Ntuli suggested "parking" the additional names until after Mkhwanazi's testimony to better assess their relevance.
In contrast, EFF MP Leigh-Ann Mathys proposed allowing the legal team to conduct preliminary consultations with potential witnesses to evaluate their evidence. Malema criticized MPs who complained about the length of the list, asserting that the investigation needs to be thorough and not hampered by "laziness." He accused the committee of attempting to shield President Ramaphosa by sidelining the additional list.
Committee's Decision and Future Steps
Ad hoc committee chairperson Soviet Molapi Lekganyane concluded that the additional names would be "noted," and the committee would proceed with Mkhwanazi’s testimony first. He indicated that "more names may be added" as the investigation progresses, ensuring the committee's ability to thoroughly address the allegations.
