A parliamentary ad hoc committee investigating explosive claims of corruption, criminality, and political interference within South Africa's criminal justice system has added former Police Minister Bheki Cele to its list of witnesses. The decision was made on Friday during a virtual meeting of the committee, which was established to look into allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
According to the committee's chairperson, Soviet Lekganyane, the move to include Cele comes as the committee prepares to hear testimony from a list of high-profile witnesses. Lekganyane said the committee had already prepared a list of seven witnesses, and Cele’s name was formally added to it. Mkhwanazi is scheduled to be the first to testify, followed by National Police Commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, and Deputy National Police Commissioner for crime detection Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya. The list also includes former acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, and Deputy Ministers of Police Cassel Mathale and Polly Boshielo.
Lekganyane confirmed that all seven witnesses were sent invitation letters on August 30 to testify before the committee. However, not everyone has confirmed their availability. According to Lekganyane, all witnesses except for Mkhwanazi and Mchunu have said they are available.
The KZN Police Commissioner, Mkhwanazi, responded on September 4, stating that he is not yet available to testify. He cited his ongoing commitments at the Judicial Commission of Inquiry, which is investigating the same allegations of criminality, political interference, and corruption within the criminal justice system. Mkhwanazi said he will only be available to testify before the committee after September 24.
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry, which is chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, was originally scheduled to commence its hearings on September 1 at the Bridgette Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria. However, the commission announced last week that it would not be able to start on time. The delay was attributed to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, which was unable to procure vital infrastructure needed for the hearings.
Meanwhile, the parliamentary committee has been taking its own steps to prepare for the hearings. Lekganyane announced that the committee has appointed a team of evidence leaders, including Advocate Norman Arendse SC, Advocate Maria Mokhaetsi, and Advocate Lerato Zikalala. The committee's proceedings are set to take place in the Good Hope Chamber in Parliament, Cape Town.
The allegations that have led to both the parliamentary committee and the judicial commission are explosive. During a media briefing on July 6, Mkhwanazi claimed to have in his possession WhatsApp communication between a controversial Gauteng tenderpreneur, Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, and a Mr Brown Mogotsi. Mkhwanazi alleged that Mogotsi, a comrade of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, was working to interfere with and suppress police investigations into Matlala.
Mkhwanazi also claimed to have proof of payments showing that Matlala had funded political activities for the African National Congress (ANC) and had also funded events for both Mchunu and Mogotsi. The KZN Police Commissioner believes that the decision by Mchunu and Sibiya to disband the KZN SAPS political killings task team was directly linked to the team's actions. Mkhwanazi alleges that the task team raided Matlala’s home in December 2024 and was making inroads in certain cases in Gauteng.
In addition, Mkhwanazi said that another reason for the disbandment of the task team was that it had unmasked a criminal syndicate operating in Gauteng. He alleges that this syndicate is composed of senior politicians who are members of parliament, law enforcement officers, correctional service officials, prosecutors, magistrates, and judges. According to Mkhwanazi, these government officials are controlled by drug cartels and business people in Gauteng. The upcoming testimony from these key witnesses is expected to reveal more details about these grave allegations.
Follow Us on Twitter
