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KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Parliament has appointed Advocate Norman Arendse SC to lead evidence in the ad hoc committee that has been set up to investigate allegations of threats to national security.
The committee was established following allegations by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, of serious corruption in the criminal justice system.
He made the allegations during a media conference in July.
Parliamentary legal advisor, Thuli Ganyaza–Twalo, announced the legal experts that have been appointed to assist the committee.
“The person that has been appointed by parliament to lead evidence is Advocate Norman Arendse SC. Advocate Maria Makhaoetsi and Advocate Lerato Zikalala will work with him.”
Meanwhile, chairperson of Parliament’s ad hoc committee, Molapi Lekganyane, says Mkhwanazi is likely to appear before the committee from the 25th of September.
The committee has a deadline of 31st of October when its report must be handed to the National Assembly.
Lekganyane says invitations were sent to Mkhwanazi, National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola, suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya and current Acting Police Minister Fairoz Cachalia, and his two deputy ministers.
Lekganyane says Masemola, Sibiya and the deputy ministers requested to have consultations with the senior council, while Mkhwanazi has indicated commitments with the inquiry.
Meanwhile, Lekganyane says the committee is aiming to have its first hearing on the 16th of September, with the 22nd as an alternative date.
“The plan we suggest is by 15 October; the tech team must start preparing the report for the National Assembly for the 31 October. In an event that we won’t make that deadline, we can make an application to the office of the speaker to request an extension.”
