Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee to Probe Mkhwanazi Allegations

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The National Assembly (NA) has established an ad hoc committee to conduct a formal inquiry into serious allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, during a media briefing on July 6, 2025. The committee’s purpose is to investigate the veracity and implications of these claims and to report its findings and recommendations to the House to improve policing and governance.

Background to the Inquiry

Mkhwanazi’s allegations are wide-ranging and include claims of a sophisticated criminal syndicate that has infiltrated law enforcement and intelligence structures in South Africa. He also made claims about political interference in the demise of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), a potentially corrupt relationship between the Minister of Police and certain individuals, and the existence of an organized drug cartel. The alleged syndicate, according to Mkhwanazi, involves politicians, law enforcement (SAPS, Metro Police, and Correctional Services), prosecutors, the judiciary, and business people.

Following these revelations, the Speaker of the NA, Ms. Thoko Didiza, asked the Portfolio Committees on Police and Justice and Constitutional Development to assess the matter. The two committees deliberated and agreed that an ad hoc committee was the most suitable mechanism to handle the inquiry. Their joint report was adopted by the NA, leading to the formation of the committee on July 23, 2025.

Legal Framework and Powers

The inquiry operates under the constitutional and legislative framework that empowers the NA to hold the national executive accountable. This authority is derived from Section 42(3) of the Constitution, which mandates the NA to oversee executive action. The committee, or the NA, can summon people to give evidence or produce documents , and compel them to comply. This power is supplemented by the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act (PPIPPLA).

The inquiry is an inquisitorial process and is not a judicial or adversarial one. The committee must act in line with fundamental principles of the rule of law, including rationality and procedural fairness. The committee will also give effect to constitutional rights such as legality, lawfulness, and procedural fairness. Witnesses will be required to take an oath or affirmation. The document proposes that witnesses be informed of their constitutional right against self-incrimination.

Scope and Format of the Inquiry

The inquiry’s scope covers key areas related to Mkhwanazi’s allegations, including:

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  Political interference within the SAPS.
• The effectiveness and official status of the PKTT.
• The status of 121 case dockets allegedly removed from the PKTT.
• The instability within the Crime Intelligence component of the SAPS.
• Allegations of a corrupt relationship involving Minister Mchunu, Mr. Brown Mogotsi, and Mr. Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala.
• Possible procurement irregularities at SAPS, including a R360 million healthcare contract.
• The alleged existence of an organized crime syndicate and its infiltration of the criminal justice system.
• Prosecutorial conduct and the relationship between the Independent Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) and the PKTT.

The committee will invite witnesses to submit sworn written statements and appear for questioning. If a witness refuses, the committee may use its power of subpoena. Witnesses will be allowed legal assistance at their own cost, but lawyers will not be permitted to speak on their behalf. In the event of adverse findings, the committee will give affected persons an opportunity to respond to the accusations against them.

The inquiry will be conducted between August and October 31, 2025. The committee will be supported by a dedicated team of officials and will use the services of an external legal counsel in an advisory role. The external counsel’s role is limited to collecting, organizing, and presenting evidence.

Public Participation and Transparency

The committee is obligated to facilitate public involvement in its processes. Meetings will be held in the open and, whenever possible, broadcast on Parliament TV and social media. However, the committee may hold  in-camera sessions to protect the safety of witnesses and the integrity of ongoing investigations. Such sessions are to be an exception and will only be permitted following an application by an interested party to the chairperson. The committee may also receive petitions, representations, or submissions from interested persons or institutions.