By Johnathan Paoli
Parliament has moved a step closer to commencing its high-profile inquiry into allegations of corruption and political interference raised by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane said most witnesses had responded positively, but a few confirmations remained outstanding.
“We are still awaiting responses from Acting Minister of Police Enver Cachalia and suspended Minister Senzo Mchunu. On those witnesses that have responded, starting today, the senior counsel has already met with Commissioner Fannie Masemola to begin consultations,” Lekganyane explained.
The ad hoc committee established to investigate the explosive claims announced on Friday that renowned Cape Town advocate Norman Arendse SC has been appointed as the committee’s evidence leader.
Arendse, one of South Africa’s most respected senior counsel, was formally introduced to members during the committee’s meeting. He will lead the legal team tasked with managing evidence, questioning witnesses, and guiding the committee in handling complex legal and procedural matters.
Arendse will be supported by legal counsels Maria Mokhoaetsi and Lerato Zikalala, both experienced legal practitioners, to ensure the inquiry is conducted with rigour and impartiality.
“This team will ensure that the committee properly deals with the evidence before it, and that the work is done in a manner that inspires confidence,” said Dr. Thulisile Ganyaza-Twalo, who is assisting the committee with legal and procedural matters.
The committee confirmed that seven witnesses had been identified and invited to participate in the proceedings, with a deadline of 10 September 2025 to confirm their availability.
Among those invited are General Mkhwanazi himself, who has yet to confirm his availability due to prior commitments at the Madlanga Commission, which is scheduled to begin its own hearings in the coming weeks.
The committee has resolved to start public hearings and the interviewing of witnesses by 24 September 2025, signalling Parliament’s intention to act swiftly on the matter.
Preparations are already under way, with Arendse and his team working closely with witnesses to ensure their testimony is clear, structured, and legally sound.
In its progress report tabled on Friday, the committee outlined a tight timeline for its work. By 15 October, the technical team will begin drafting the final report, which must be submitted to the National Assembly by 31 October.
Should the committee require more time, it has the option of requesting an extension from the Office of the Speaker.
The ad hoc committee was established after Mkhwanazi made startling claims earlier this year of systemic corruption, political meddling, and interference in police operations in KwaZulu-Natal.
His allegations, which pointed fingers at both serving and former officials, shook public confidence in the country’s law enforcement and governance structures.
Parliament responded by establishing the inquiry, which is expected to probe not only the specifics of Mkhwanazi’s claims but also the broader issues of accountability, integrity, and political influence within the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The appointment of Norman Arendse SC as evidence leader is being viewed as a crucial step in ensuring the credibility of the inquiry. Arendse, who has decades of legal experience and a track record in high-profile cases, is expected to bring both authority and independence to the proceedings.
For Parliament, the committee’s work represents a major test of its ability to hold state institutions accountable and restore public trust in the police.
“We want to assure the public that this process will be transparent, robust, and fair,” Lekganyane said.
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