A parliamentary inquiry into explosive allegations of police corruption faces significant delays, sparking heated debate among Members of Parliament. The ad hoc committee, established to investigate claims made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, is in a standoff over his availability, as he is scheduled to testify first at the presidentially-appointed Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
The conflict centres on Mkhwanazi, who is the key witness for both parallel investigations. He is expected to begin five days of testimony at the Madlanga Commission on 17 September. This scheduling conflict means he will likely only be available to appear before Parliament’s ad hoc committee in early October, a delay that has caused considerable frustration. The Mkhwanazi testimony delay has led to accusations that Parliament is being “juniorised” and undermined.
SMread: Israeli strike in Doha kills hope for hostage deal – Qatari PM
Clashes over subpoenas and committee power
The delay has created sharp divisions within the ad hoc committee. During a tense meeting on Wednesday, EFF leader Julius Malema lambasted the committee for not forcing the issue.
“You have turned this committee into a toothless body,” he stated, arguing that Mkhwanazi should be subpoenaed to prioritise his appearance before Parliament. Malema accused unnamed forces of deliberately preventing Mkhwanazi from testifying before the committee, calling the situation “irrational and cowardly.”
ActionSA’s Dereleen James echoed these sentiments, expressing frustration over the committee’s perceived weakness. “It is clear that we are being dictated to. It is clear that we are the underdogs,” she said, adding that the process felt like a “complete waste of time.”
However, not all members agreed on issuing a subpoena. The DA’s Glynnis Breytenbach suggested that while Mkhwanazi’s appearance as the first witness was “ideal,” it was “not essential.” This view was supported by the ANC, FF Plus, and MK Party, with ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli stating that a subpoena was premature as Mkhwanazi was not actively undermining the committee.
Ultimately, the committee decided against issuing a subpoena, confirming Mkhwanazi would remain their first witness despite the delay.
Adding to the committee’s challenges, former Police Minister Bheki Cele has not responded to a formal invitation to appear, having missed the 10 September deadline. This lack of response has further fuelled criticism from opposition parties about the committee’s firm-handedness. In contrast, other high-profile figures, including Acting Minister Firoz Cachalia and National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, have complied with requests to engage.
Image: KZN Police Minister Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi will be the first witness at the Mandlanga Commission next week. [Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers]
