Parliament unanimously extends deadline for Mkhwanazi investigation committee to March
The Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has until the end of March to conclude its work.
Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers
The deadline for the Ad Hoc Committee investigating claims by KwaZulu-Natal Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has been unanimously extended by Parliament.
The committee is now required to complete its task by the end of March.
This comes after the Ad Hoc Committee made a request for extension of its mandate to the National Assembly Speaker, Thoko Didiza, because it still needs additional time to engage several witnesses.
The multi-party committee, established last July, was initially given until October 2025 to complete its work.
However, it started hearing evidence only in October after Mkhwanazi testified before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
This prompted the first request being made for the extension until the end of February 2026.
On Tuesday, ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli tabled a draft motion requesting an extension until March 31, and this was unanimously approved by the House.
The committee has to date heard evidence from several witnesses, ranging from Mkhwanazi, National Commissioner Fannie Masemola, Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, former police minister Bheki Cele, Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, and his two deputy ministers.
Already testified are former National Prosecuting Authority head Shamila Batohi, Investigative Directorate Against Corruption head Andrea Johnson, Mchunu’s chief of staff Cedrick Nkabinde, and attempted murder accused tenderpreneur Vusumuzi “Cat” Matlala, among others.
The committee is set to find dates to conclude the testimony of Mkhwanazi, former acting national commissioner Khomotso Phahlane, and forensic fraud examiner Paul O’Sullivan.
Last week, O’Sullivan could not continue his testimony on Wednesday night due to pain while facing questions from the MPs.
The committee also has to find dates for ANC-linked North-West businessman Brown Mogotsi, MP and National Coloured Congress leader Fadiel Adams, attorney Sarah-Jane Trent, and others.
It was sparked by the media briefing Mkhwanazi conducted on July 6, 2025, when he made allegations of criminal syndicate infiltration and corruption within the criminal justice system.
mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za