LIVE: Committee to finalise terms of reference to probe Mkhwanazi’s explosive SAPS claims

Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee, tasked with investigating serious allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, is scheduled to meet on Thursday to finalise and adopt its Terms of Reference.

ANC Member of Parliament Molapi Soviet Lekganyane, who was appointed as chairperson last week, will lead the committee in examining the claims made by Mkhwanazi, which include accusations of political interference and operational sabotage within the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Political parties were given until last Friday to submit their proposed inputs to ensure that the Terms of Reference reflect a broad and representative range of perspectives.

However, EFF leader Julius Malema expressed concerns that the draft Terms of Reference had not yet been circulated to all parties.

In a letter to committee chairperson Lekganyane, Malema noted that the committee had agreed to circulate the draft by the end of Tuesday to allow timely submissions by Friday, August 8, 2025.

He questioned the delay and requested details on the management committee responsible for drafting the Terms and the legal professionals involved, stressing the importance of handling the sensitive matter with seriousness.

Due to Parliament’s recess, members agreed to relocate committee operations to Gauteng in August to facilitate its work.

The 11-member committee is made up of four members from the ANC, two from the Democratic Alliance, two from the MK Party, one from the Economic Freedom Fighters, and two additional representatives to be nominated by other political parties.

The committee has until October 31 to present its findings to the National Assembly.

Its work will centre on investigating the alleged unlawful disbandment of the SAPS Political Killings Task Team by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, as well as the removal of 121 case dockets from the task team, reportedly on the instruction of Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya.

The inquiry will also examine allegations that Mchunu issued a moratorium on the filling of key vacancies within the SAPS Crime Intelligence Unit.

In addition, the committee is expected to scrutinise the nature and implications of relationships between senior SAPS leadership and certain members of the public, as raised in Mkhwanazi’s allegations on July 6. 

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za 

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