Ad hoc committee: MPs deadlocked over calling Ramaphosa, Mbalula

By Johnathan Paoli

Parliament’s ad hoc committee probing allegations raised by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi spent much of its latest sitting locked in a tense procedural debate over its programme for the week and whether senior political figures and top security officials should be called to testify.

The meeting’s agenda included finalising the committee programme, correspondence from the Speaker, regarding controversial businessman Brown Mogotsi and forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan; as well as future witnesses intended to testify before the committee.

However, discussions were dominated by disagreements over witness callings and whether previous decisions should be revisited.

Committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane acknowledged that members were sharply divided, particularly on whether President Cyril Ramaphosa, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, General Feroz Khan and other senior figures should appear before the committee.

“There is no agreement amongst the members,” Lekganyane said, adding that he was persuaded to refer the contested names to