The Ad Hoc Committee, tasked with investigating allegations made by SAPS KZN Commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, deliberated for hours on its interim draft report. The committee's discussions focused intently on the report's content and wording, particularly concerning a key witness and the committee's overall findings. The most contentious issues within the draft report specifically revolved around the exact wording explaining the committee's decision not to call Maj-Gen Feroz Khan to testify. This particular aspect of the report prompted significant and lengthy debate among committee members, noting the complexities involved in their mandate. The deliberation on the draft reports is scheduled to continue today, as members strive to reach a consensus on the final document.
Disagreement Over Key Witness
Maj-Gen Feroz Khan was repeatedly mentioned by witnesses in relation to a drug investigation and other allegations concerning his conduct, according to committee discussions. The Ad Hoc Committee acknowledged in its draft report that its ability to probe and resolve certain matters relating to Crime Intelligence was significantly limited by not calling Maj-Gen Khan to testify. This limitation was a central point of concern for several members, who felt that a more full investigation would have benefited from his direct testimony.
Committee Member Mr David Skosana insisted that the report should clearly indicate that "some members" were not in favour of Maj-Gen Khan’s appearance to testify before the committee. Mr Skosana also stated that his political party was not satisfied with the report omitting the word "repeatedly" in relation to the number of times Maj-Gen Khan was mentioned during testimonies. He argued that the frequent mention of Maj-Gen Khan by various witnesses showed the importance of his potential contribution to the investigation and the need for the report to accurately reflect this. Ms Leigh-Ann Mathys countered this point, stating that the word "repeatedly" should be rephrased to avoid any unintended implications and that Maj-Gen Khan’s omission from the witness list was not a deliberate strategy on the part of the committee. She emphasized that the decision was influenced by various factors, including the scope and timeline of the committee's work. Several committee members noted that, given the evidence presented at the Madlanga Commission, they might have had a different opinion on calling Maj-Gen Khan to give evidence before the committee, suggesting that prior revelations could have altered their approach had they been fully available during the initial stages of their inquiry. The debate over Maj-Gen Khan's non-appearance and the phrasing surrounding it showed the deep divisions within the committee regarding its investigative thoroughness.
Allegations Against Former Minister
The committee also addressed serious allegations involving former police minister Mr Bheki Cele and his association with Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. These allegations formed a significant part of the committee's review, requiring careful consideration. Committee member Mr Mdumiseni Ntuli proposed a specific recommendation within the report for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation to probe these allegations further. Mr Ntuli's proposal specifically cited concerns regarding Mr Cele’s potential involvement in influencing tender awards during his tenure as police minister. The proposal encompassed accusations related to the controversial Telkom Towers transaction, a matter that has previously drawn public scrutiny, and claims that he benefited from organised crime. The gravity of these allegations prompted the call for a dedicated investigation by the appropriate law enforcement agency.
Deliberations further encompassed the alleged relationship between Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who is currently on special leave of absence, businessman Mr Brown Mogotsi, and Mr Matlala. This alleged connection raised questions among committee members about potential conflicts of interest or undue influence. Mr Skosana stated that Mr Mchunu had not been transparent about his relationship with Mr Mogotsi, suggesting that the minister had not fully disclosed the nature or extent of their interactions. This lack of transparency, according to Mr Skosana, warranted further scrutiny. The committee's discussion on these sensitive matters formed a key part of its review of the interim draft report, as members sought to ensure all serious allegations were appropriately addressed or referred for further action.
Report Limitations and Clarity
Ms Leigh-Ann Mathys indicated that the report should not, under any circumstances, infer that the committee had exonerated Mr Senzo Mchunu simply because he did not appear before them or because certain allegations were not fully resolved within the committee's limited scope. Mathys also noted that several individuals mentioned during testimony did not appear before the committee, attributing this significant challenge to the short deadline provided for the committee to conclude its work. This time constraint severely impacted the committee's ability to call all relevant witnesses and conduct exhaustive inquiries. She further stated that a specific section within the report explicitly addresses these limitations, and it should clearly articulate that the committee was unable to interrogate much of the information presented to it due to these operational constraints. The committee's ability to thoroughly investigate all allegations, therefore, was significantly constrained by both the mandated timeframe and the sheer volume of information and allegations it received. The report, she argued, must reflect these realities to maintain its credibility and avoid misinterpretations of its findings.
