By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations of criminality, political interference, and corruption in the criminal justice system called on citizens, civil organisations, and members of the public to make submissions to help uncover the truth behind the serious allegations made by the KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
This takes place as forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan, who was scheduled to give testimony on Tuesday and Wednesday, prefers to give evidence virtually.
O’Sullivan, who is in London, has cited concerns regarding his safety, but the Ad Hoc Committee wants him to appear before it.
Amid indications O’Sullivan’s refusal to appear, Committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane said on Thursday in the event they were unable to get him on stage, there should be other activities happening on those days.
“If we don’t have him, the public submissions and civil society organisations that are appearing should know and have that information by close of business tomorrow.
“We must not miss those two days. We no longer have time on our side,” he said when wrapping the proceedings on Thursday.
This was after the committee spent three days hearing evidence from former Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) head Robert McBride and Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi.
Civil society organisations Accountability Now and the African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum (Apcof) submitted formal proposals to the committee to assist in its investigation into alleged corruption within the criminal justice system.
Advocate Paul Hoffman, director of Accountability Now, addressed the current state of law enforcement, describing the administration as “dysfunctional” due to the alleged corruption.
“The criminal justice administration in South Africa is dysfunctional because corruption with impunity is rampant in the land, “Hoffman said.
The idea of a chapter 9 institution seems to be the most obvious solution. None of these institutions answer to the executive branch; their reporting line would be directly to the relevant parliamentary committee.
That is what this committee will have to address from the point of view of parliament which in our submission will involve the revision of the criminal justice administration capacity to deal with corruption effectively.”
Hoffman argued that while various task teams exist, there is no single body outside of executive control dedicated solely to fighting corruption.
Sean Tait, representing Apcof, referenced Mkhwanazi’s claim that he had previously submitted statements to parliament regarding interference, yet no action was taken — a failure that eventually led to his public media briefing.
“We think there is certainly pause for thought in terms of parliament’s ability to strengthen its responsiveness to allegations or concerns brought to their attention,” Tait said.
It’s beyond an issue of political discretion for the committee. These allegations demand serious and immediate attention and action by parliament.
He urged parliament to carry out its duty to respond to allegations brought and address them.
“We believe it’s a critical duty of parliament to respond and address allegations of political interference. It’s beyond an issue of political discretion for the committee. These allegations demand serious and immediate attention and action by parliament.”
He added that MPs and parliamentary staff should be capacitated and trained to deal with the rapidly changing environment of crime and security. It is important that Parliament has capacity and is updated to recognise and respond with best knowledge and evidence at its disposal.”