High-Profile Witnesses Set to Testify Before Parliament on Police Corruption Allegations
Cape Town – Parliament's ad hoc committee investigating allegations of criminality, political interference, and corruption within the police and criminal justice system is set to resume its hearings on January 13, with a string of high-profile witnesses expected to give evidence. The committee is probing allegations initially raised by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Evidence leader Adv Norman Arendse revealed a list of prominent individuals slated to appear before the committee. Among those expected to testify are former acting national police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane, crime intelligence chief Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo, and former police watchdog boss Robert McBride.
Other notable names on the witness list include forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan, currently based in London, and Julius Mkhwanazi, the suspended acting metro police chief of Ekurhuleni. Arendse noted that O’Sullivan had expressed security concerns but indicated his intention to return to South Africa in February.
The committee is also considering the appearance of alleged political fixer Brown Mogotsi, but Arendse stated that Mogotsi had also raised security concerns, and his participation, whether in person or online, would depend on further consultations.
Parliament has confirmed receiving numerous submissions from members of the public, civil society organisations, and former police officers, detailing a range of allegations. Nicolette van Zyl-Gous from Parliament highlighted that the recurring themes emerging from these submissions include corruption and collusion involving members of law enforcement agencies and related institutions.
Van Zyl-Gous said that civil society groups warned about the impact on public trust in the police, correctional services, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the criminal justice system, the judiciary, and national security.
Several individuals who made written submissions are also expected to testify. These include former police clerk and whistleblower Patricia Mashale, who, according to Parliament, possesses "knowledge" of corruption within the police. Additionally, Tiyani Hlungwani, a former head of the secret services account who was dismissed for allegedly exposing corruption in the police, is also slated to appear. Hlungwani, a former brigadier, previously made a protected disclosure and is also scheduled to appear before the Madlanga commission, which is investigating similar allegations.
Adding another layer to the complex investigation, former special director of public prosecutions Lawrence Mrwebi has written to the committee, alleging that Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi provided false testimony under oath regarding his handling of a fraud and corruption case against former crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli. Mrwebi claims Mkhwanazi misled the inquiry and the public. According to Van Zyl-Gous, “He seeks to clarify the Mdluli matter was solely about vehicle transactions and unrelated to broader allegations of corruption.”
Van Zyl-Gous also revealed that Captain Ramalepe and two others have submitted allegations of drug cartels operating within the police force. These claims are expected to be scrutinised during the hearings.
During the committee's sitting, a heated debate erupted after EFF MP Julius Malema cautioned against generalised attacks on the judiciary without substantive evidence. This followed a suggestion from MK Party MP David Skosana that certain judges should be summoned to testify before the committee, citing years of serious allegations against them.
Malema firmly stated: “We must jealously guard against the integrity and the image of the judiciary and not make sweeping statements against the judiciary because the day you erode the good image and the authority of the judiciary, that is when you are taking this democracy to the dogs.”
While acknowledging his frustration with the judiciary for delays in delivering the Phala Phala judgment, Malema insisted on specific accusations against individual judges rather than blanket condemnations. “Tell us which judge did the wrong thing,” Malema challenged Skosana.
The upcoming hearings promise to be explosive, with potentially far-reaching implications for the integrity of South Africa's law enforcement and criminal justice system. The testimony of these high-profile witnesses and the scrutiny of the allegations presented could lead to significant reforms and accountability within these crucial institutions.
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