By Johnathan Paoli
Parliament’s ad hoc committee probing allegations of corruption and political interference in the criminal justice system has been granted a fourth extension, with its final report now likely to be adopted and tabled by 14 May.
The extension was confirmed at a committee housekeeping meeting on Tuesday.
Legal adviser Andile Tetyana told members that National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza had approved additional time, though less than the committee had requested.
“We wrote to the speaker requesting an extension until the end of June,” Tetyana said.
“The speaker responded, stating her feeling that June is too far off. She proposed that the date for the submission of the report should be 30 April.”
However, despite the formal extension to 30 April, the committee adopted a working programme that runs beyond that date, effectively setting mid-May as its operational deadline.
Under the schedule, concluding remarks by senior counsel and a legal workshop are set for 13 April, followed by deliberations on the hearings from 14 to 16 April.
The drafting phase is expected to begin soon after.
A preliminary report is scheduled for compilation between 20 and 23 April, before adoption and, if necessary, circulation to affected persons on 24 April.
Responses are due by 7 May, with the committee set to consider submissions on 8 May.
A draft final report is expected on 11 May, followed by final deliberations on 13 May and adoption and tabling on 14 May.
The committee noted that if no audi alteram partem process is required, the report could be finalised earlier, on 24 April.
Tetyana said the timeline was “comfortable” from an evidentiary perspective, but warned that incomplete transcripts remained a major constraint.
“We only have 46% of the transcripts; 54% have not been received. Transcripts from February and March are outstanding, but the service provider is busy completing them,” he said.
Members across parties raised concerns about whether the programme is achievable.
DA MP Glynnis Breytenbach said the committee was not being realistic.
“I don’t think the programme is doable at all… I don’t think we are being realistic,” she said.
EFF MP Leigh-Anne Mathys echoed the concern, warning that rushed deliberations could undermine the process.
“This has been a robust committee, it is not going to be a rubber stamp. It will be very embarrassing for us to go back and ask for another extension,” said Mathys.
ANC members, however, pushed back against further delays.
ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli suggested using unscheduled days to meet the deadline, while Khusela Sangoni-Diko pointed to the broader impact on Parliament’s programme.
Ad hoc committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane urged members to work within the Speaker’s framework.
The committee also received updates on three key pieces of correspondence, from businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala, acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and witness Sarah Jane Trent.
Matlala’s legal team alleged the committee relied on manipulated WhatsApp messages, questioning their authenticity.
Tetyana rejected this, saying Matlala had engaged with the messages under oath and in the presence of his legal representative.
Members agreed the committee was not the source of the evidence and could not rule on its authenticity.
In a separate development, Cachalia indicated he was willing to grant the committee access to a classified Crime Intelligence report, subject to strict protocols.
“The Minister accepts that he is in possession of the classified report… and on a need-to-know basis, he can give the committee that report,” Tetyana said.
The report reportedly deals with sensitive matters, including the protection of properties by SAPS Crime Intelligence, security vetting of acting head Major-General Nozipho Madondo, and the appointment of Brigadier Dineo Mokwele.
The committee also considered a request from former attorney and Paul O’Sullivan associate Sarah-Jane Trent to have her testimony withdrawn, citing PTSD and alleged coercion.
Her legal team said they were seeking a forensic psychologist’s report to support the claim.
Tetyana cautioned against setting a precedent, noting the committee had repeatedly offered assistance during her testimony.
“If we start getting an avalanche of letters like this… we will end up not having a report in front of us,” he said.
One of Trent’s claims involved an alleged interaction with ActionSA MP Dereleen James, which James denied, saying she had only offered encouragement.
Lekganyane rejected Trent’s request, stating her claims were not reflected in the official record and that she had insisted on continuing with her testimony.
With hearings concluded and no further witnesses to be called, the committee now enters an intensive drafting phase under tight political and administrative pressure.
INSIDE POLITICS