Ad Hoc Committee gears up for crucial hearings amid witness absences

As the Ad Hoc Committee prepares for its next round of hearings, expectations run high for a seamless public participation process following this week, during which it experienced non-appearances by some witnesses.

Chairperson Soviet Lekganyane expressed hopes for smoother operations in the upcoming session, set to resume next week.

He acknowledged the frustrations, particularly highlighting Advocate Tengimpilo Maqebhula's frustration, who personally incurred travel and accommodation costs amid flight delays.

“Our staff can work tonight and tomorrow to have these appearances ready on Tuesday, noting that we will have a meeting on Monday,” Lekganyane stated, reinforcing the committee's commitment to preventing last-minute decisions that have derailed prior sessions.

“They have the whole of tomorrow to be in contact with guests and make all the arrangements,” he added.

Next week’s hearings are expected to feature members of the public and civil society organisations, including Gunfree South Africa, and notable individuals such as Dr Gordon Rolls and Xolile Mashukuxa.

The committee has agreed to invite six civil society organisations and 12 or more members of the public.

“We must be running towards the finishing line,” he said, indicating that the list would not be revisited.

As part of their preparatory efforts, the committee will conduct a virtual meeting on Monday to address internal matters raised by MPs during the week, including subpoenas for North West businessman Brown Mogotsi and forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan.

Mogotsi wanted Parliament to foot the bill for his security detail, while O’Sullivan wanted to testify virtually, citing threats to his life, among other things.

Their failure to testify led to the public participation process being moved forward.

Lekganyane said they will finalise the committee timetable and deal with other matters raised by MPs during the week.

“We should have responses for all those matters by the time of the meeting on Monday,” he said.

In this week’s proceedings that included significant stakeholders, key recommendations were made regarding legislative reforms aimed at bolstering the struggle against corruption.

Accountability Now’s Advocate Paul Hoffman discussed the establishment of a new Chapter 9 institution dedicated to anti-corruption initiatives.

“We don’t have a single body outside the executive control tasked with the business of effectively seeing off the corrupt in our midst,” he pointed out, stressing the dire impact corruption has on South Africa's political trajectory.

African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum’s Sean Tait also offered insights, stating: “The allegations probed by the committee demand serious and immediate attention and action by Parliament.”

He called for prompt legislative action to address political interference, emphasising the need for reforms to enhance parliamentary oversight and protect the operational command of the SAPS from political influences.

Jean Redpath from the Dullah Omar Institute proposed amendments to key legislative frameworks, suggesting the repeal of the SAPS Act and other statutes to mitigate corruption.

She said Crime Intelligence was not mentioned in the SAPS Act, while the mandate of the Hawks was too broad.

The committee’s last session witnessed significant testimony from former Crime Intelligence official Tiyani Lincoln Hlungwani and Special Projects Advisor in the City of Johannesburg’ managers office, Melusi Mlandu.

Hlungwani, who availed his affidavit to the evidence leaders a mere hours before he gave evidence, made serious allegations against a host of people within the police.

While Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo and former police Minister Bheki Cele were his targets, he alleged that KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and National Commissioner Fannie Masemola received kickbacks in the form of R100,000 each that was contained in Louis Vitton bags after one of the police contracts was awarded.

Hlungwani accused DA MP and Police Portfolio Committee Chairperson Ian Cameron of being aligned to a “faction” involving Masemola, Khumalo, Mkhwanazi, and former Crime Intelligence head Peter Jacobs.

Mlandu testified that Shadrack Sibiya was irregularly appointed to head the forensic department at the City of Johannesburg.

He said Sibiya failed a competency assessment, which was allegedly conducted after his appointment.

Mlandu also claimed that Cele and Masemola failed to conduct proper vetting before Sibiya was promoted to his current position despite being furnished the damning report on the second-in-command at the SAPS.

mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za