Five of the six witnesses identified to testify during the second phase of parliament’s inquiry into corruption in the policing system have been consulted to provide evidence before the ad hoc committee concludes on 20 February, its senior counsel Norman Arendse said. Presenting a report to the committee on Wednesday, Arendse said the consultations were guided by the list of witnesses it requested to provide evidence based on allegations that emerged from phase one of the investigation last year. The committee was formed as part of a parallel process with the Madlanga Commission investigating claims of political interference in the criminal justice system made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissionerNhlanhla Mkhwanaziin a July media briefing.
The committee has so far heard testimony from senior police officials who accused suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of disbanding a task team on political killings without consultation and at the behest of cartels. National police commissioner Fannie Masemola, former police ministerBheki Celeand co-deputy police ministersCassel MathaleandShela Boshielocorroborated Mkhwanazi’s claims of police interference before the committee. In his owntestimony before the committee, Mchunu denied the allegations, stating that the task team hadoutlived its function.
He also said he was implementing a police research study which recommended the unit’s disbandment. Six witnesses have been identified to give further oral evidence during the second phase: Crime Intelligence headDumisani Khumalo, former police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD)deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi, former Independent Police Investigative Directorate head Robert McBride, businessman Brown Mogotsi and forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan. Khumalo, also the task team project leader, is scheduled to provide his version of events on 13 and 14 January with Phahlane set to testify on 15 and 16 January.
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“We would be in a position to proceed with their evidence as now indicated on the 14th and 15th of next week,” said Arendse. He said hearings for McBride and EMPD chief Mkhwanazi were scheduled for the following week, while O’Sullivan would be interviewed online as he was currently in London and only expected to return to South Africa in February. Arendse said Paul O’Sullivan had already submitted a draft statement, while consultations with Mogotsi were still outstanding due his concerns regarding security and safety. “Mr Mogotsi, we are scheduled for Monday in an online meeting.
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