By Johnathan Paoli
Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating allegations of criminal infiltration, corruption, and political interference in South Africa’s criminal justice system could travel to Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria to hear the testimony of businessman and attempted murder accused Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala.
The committee resolved on Monday that it would be safer and more practical to receive Matlala’s evidence inside the maximum-security facility rather than transporting him to Cape Town, because of significant security concerns.
The decision followed a detailed security briefing to the committee by Parliamentary Security Services who confirmed that Kgosi Mampuru has adequate infrastructure to accommodate a parliamentary sitting.
According to his assessment, the correctional centre can host up to 400 people and offers the necessary amenities, including holding rooms, secure parking, catering facilities, reliable internet connectivity, and a sound system suitable for official proceedings.
He assured members that the Department of Correctional Services had pledged to provide additional technical support and to coordinate access with police and traffic authorities.
Committee members from across the political spectrum welcomed the report and supported the proposal to convene the hearing inside the prison.
The African National Congress noted that it had previously agreed not to hold virtual hearings and that it would therefore back the decision to travel to Pretoria.
Other parties, including the Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters, shared the view that Matlala’s testimony was too critical to risk logistical complications or security breaches.
The committee also discussed its interim report, which summarised its progress since beginning formal work in August and outlined the reasons for requesting more time to complete the inquiry.
The 12-page draft report, presented by content adviser Nicolette van Zyl-Gous, described how the committee had already heard evidence from nine witnesses and received 268 written submissions from the public.
Many of these submissions, she said, raised recurring themes of systemic corruption, interference and misconduct within law enforcement and prosecutorial structures.
Van Zyl-Gous explained that the interim report was meant to update the Speaker of the National Assembly and to accompany a formal request for an extension beyond the current deadline of 28 November.
She said that the complexity of the evidence, the sensitivity of public submissions, and the identification of several new witnesses made it impossible to conclude the hearings within the existing timeframe.
Committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane said that while the report could be sent to the Speaker as a draft, members would still be allowed to propose additions or amendments before final approval.
During the meeting, the committee also discussed its packed schedule for the coming weeks, which will see several high-profile witnesses appear before Parliament.
The National Director of Public Prosecutions, Shamila Batohi, is scheduled to testify first this week, followed by Cedric Nkabinde, suspended Chief of Staff in the Ministry of Police.
Next week, the committee will hear from criminologist and violence monitor Mary de Haas and Deputy National Police Commission for Visible Policing and Operations Tebello Mosikili, while Divisional Commissioner for Supply Chain Management, Molefe Fani, and SAPS Chief Financial Officer Puleng Dimpane are also due to appear.
The week after that is expected to be dominated by the appearance of Divisional Commissioner: Detective and Forensic Services HK Senthumule and, crucially, the testimony of Matlala at Kgosi Mampuru Prison, between 26 and 28 November.
His evidence is anticipated to shed light on the network of alleged corruption and political interference first exposed by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, in July, which prompted the establishment of the ad hoc inquiry.
The interim report also revealed that the committee had received hundreds of public submissions in response to its September call for evidence, with citizens and whistle-blowers detailing claims of intimidation, cover-ups, and criminal syndicates operating within law enforcement.
Due to the large volume and sensitive nature of these submissions, the committee said it would not be able to finalise its public participation process by the end of November.
It plans to hold additional hearings with selected members of the public once the extension is granted.
Committee members expressed general support for the request for an extension but agreed that there should be a fixed end date to prevent indefinite delays.
The committee will commence with the testimony of Batohi on Tuesday.
INSIDE POLITICS