By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Seasoned advocate Matthew Chaskalson has taken over the chief evidence leader role at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into SA Police Services (SAPS) capture.
Chaskalson appointment comes after chief evidence leader Advocate Terry Motau SC’s requested to leave the commission.
The reasons behind Motau’s request to step down remain unclear.
The advocates who have joined the commission are all top drawer with busy practices, and they need to balance their time.
Fullview reported earlier that Chaskalson is set to take over as chief evidence leader for the commission, and a fourth advocate will be hired to join the team, which includes senior counsel Mahlape Sello and Adila Hassim.
In a brief statement, “the commission said, Advocate Matthew Chaskalson SC succeeds Advocate Terry Motau SC as the Chief Evidence Leader.”
Motau will return to cross-examine Masemola in the second phase.
Chaskalson is a seasoned commission evidence leader – he has put in time at both the Marikana Commission of Inquiry and at the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture.
The commission, chaired by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, is sitting with two commissioners, has a six-month deadline to deliver a report.
The Commission is now in its third week.
President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered its creation to investigate allegations that KwaZulu-Natal police boss Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi initially made during a press conference in July.
Mkhwanazi was the commission’s first witness.
His key allegations included that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, now on special leave, was influenced to disband KwaZulu-Natal’s political killings task team to benefit crime suspects who were under the impression the team was investigating them.
The Madlanga Commission is set to resume on Tuesday, when South African Police Services (SAPS) Criminal Intelligence Chief Dumisani Khumalo is expected to continue testifying.