By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Parliament’s ad hoc committee probing allegations of corruption and criminal infiltration within the criminal justice system has adopted a revised timetable, with hearings set to resume next week Wednesday.
The committee met virtually on Wednesday to finalise its proposed programme, consider recommendations on public participation and assess progress made by its legal team.
The Committee was established to investigate allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has been granted a second and final extension until 20 February 2026.
During Wednesday’s session, committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane announced that National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza had approved a second extension for the committee’s work.
The deadline, initially set for 31 October 2025 and later extended to 28 November, will now be next month.
“This is the second and last extension that will end on 20 February 2026,” Lekganyane said.
He listed witnesses who are expected to testify, including Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi, alleged political fixer Oupa Mogotsi, Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo, forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan and former acting national police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane.
“The technical team is suggesting that the committee must conclude hearings on 6 February so that they can have enough time to prepare a report for the consideration of the committee,” Lekganyane said.
He added that anyone implicated in the committee’s final report would be notified to provide a response.
“The principle of natural justice militates that we should share that part of the report with them for their own observations and comments.”
Evidence leader Norman Arendse provided an update on the planned witness schedule.
Phahlane is expected to testify next week, followed by Khumalo.
Former Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) head Robert McBride is scheduled for 20–21 January, with O’Sullivan expected in the following two days.
“I think he [O’Sullivan] is in London at the moment and had indicated that he will be back in the country after February.”
“Besides that, he had also indicated grave concern about appearing in person because of the security situation,” Arendse said.
EMPD’s Mkhwanazi is on standby for 27–28 January, and Mogotsi for 29–30 January.
While MPs agreed that judicial officials would be called if implicated, MK party member David Skosana criticised EFF leader Julius Malema for opposing such calls.
Malema insisted there was no substantive evidence against judges at this stage, though he acknowledged his own criticisms of the Constitutional Court (ConCourt).
The EFF leader also challenged Skosana, saying the MK party MP “has got nothing on any judge”.
“What stops you from bringing names now? “Malema asked.
“Put a name of a judge, stop shouting! Put a name of a judge, stop being a coward! Tell us which judge did the wrong thing! “he added.
As Skosana attempted to respond, Malema pressed further: “You are screaming, give us a name of a judge.”
Lekganyane intervened, warning: “We can’t conduct ourselves like this.”
A major factor reshaping the revised timetable is the committee’s decision to accommodate 15 substantive public submissions through oral hearings, alongside several civil society organisations.
Parliamentary official Nicolette van Zyl Gous told MPs that the submissions reveal systemic patterns of alleged corruption, political interference, intimidation of whistleblowers and weakening accountability across the criminal justice system.
Civil society submissions were received from organisations including Accountability Now, the Institute for Security Studies, the African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum, the Dullah Omar Institute and Gun Free South Africa.
MPs stressed that members of the public should be assisted to formalise affidavits and clarify allegations, rather than being excluded on technical grounds.
Van Zyl Gous recommended allocating at least 40 minutes per oral submission, potentially over one or two dedicated days, a proposal that will require further adjustments to the programme.