Phahlane, Arendse clash over the scope, pace and framing of his testimony

By Johnathan Paoli

Tensions flared in Parliament on Tuesday as former acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Khomotso Phahlane’s appearance before the ad hoc committee probing alleged corruption and interference in the criminal justice system descended into repeated procedural deadlock and open disagreement with evidence leader Advocate Norman Arendse SC.

From the outset, Phahlane and Arendse clashed over the scope, pace and framing of his testimony, with the General insisting on extended time to “do justice” to his affidavit, while Arendse pressed him to confine his evidence to matters directly relevant to the committee’s mandate and not already ventilated in courts and arbitration processes.

Phahlane, the first witness to testify as the committee resumed hearings in the new year, requested at least two full days to present his evidence and proposed that sittings run until 21:00.

Arendse told the committee that he had been engaging Phahlane for weeks ahead of his