By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Parliament Ad-hoc committee into police corruption and interference, Chairperson, Soviet Lekganyane, has announced KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, will take the stand on Tuesday, 07 October 2025.
The ad hoc committee was set to deal with accusations forming the core of South Africa’s developing law enforcement crisis.
Mkhwanazi made several accusations, including that a drug cartel based in Gauteng was controlling a high-level criminal syndicate that extended into the SAPS, the Police Ministry, Parliament, official prison structures, the judiciary and other law-enforcing authorities.
Lekganyane said, Mkhwanazi’s appearance will be followed by National Commissioner Fannie Masemola and Deputy Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, to conclude testimony from police top management.
The hearings will take place amid the adjournment of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry until October 13, which is also probing SAPS capture and malfeasance.
Evidence leader Advocate Norman Arendse, SC, said the hearings will be different from the Madlanga Inquiry and will adopt a different procedure and line of questioning.
Arendse said Lekganyane will explain the purpose of the inquiry and introduce the committee on Tuesday.
Lekganyane will also administer an oath or affirmation on Mkhwanazi before Arendse leads and examines the evidence.
“On the second day, members will have an opportunity to ask questions of the witness. Thereafter, subject to your discretion, chairperson, we may ask an opportunity to again re-examine the witness if there are any issues we feel we should traverse with the witness concerned.”
Arendse stated that since there will be occasions during Mkhwanazi’s testimony that he will put a version to him from other witnesses, who have already been interviewed and will give evidence, for his comment.
“We tried to avoid repetition … There are a number of material differences. There are some new matters referred to in the statement.”
Security around the appearance of Mkhwanazi at Parliament’s Good Hope Chamber was also confirmed by Parliament Security Chief, Sam Shitlabane.
“We have interacted with the province in terms of law enforcement. We are ready, even with the national components that would be supporting us. We can be able to say safely we are ready to resume in terms of security arrangements with the ad hoc committee.”