Parliament’s ad hoc committee granted fresh extension to finish witness testimonies

MPs during Parliament’s ad hoc committee inquiry at the Good Hope Chambers in Cape Town on 10 February 2026. Picture: Gallo Images/Brenton Geach Parliament has approved a further extension for its ad hoc committee tasked with probing claims of criminal infiltration, corruption and political interference in South Africa’s criminal justice system, allowing MPs until 31 March 2026 to complete their work. A motion regarding the extension was formally tabled in the National Assembly by ANC chief whip Mdumiseni Ntuli during a brief plenary sitting on Tuesday.

MPs adopted the motion without objection, clearing the way for the committee to continue hearing testimony and finalising its processes. This is the third time the committee’s deadline has been pushed back since it began operations on 7 October 2025. That date was later moved to 28 November, before National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza approved a second extension to 20 February.

The latest decision provides additional weeks for outstanding witnesses to appear and for the panel to conclude its evidence-gathering phase. The committee was established following explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on 6 July 2025. Since public hearings commenced in October, members have heard from a wide range of witnesses.