Parly’s Ad Hoc committee to ask for extension on its revised deadline

Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee will again ask for an extension on its revised deadline of the end of November. The committee was established by a motion following allegations of criminal infiltration, corruption and political interference in the justice system.

These allegations were made by KZN Police Commissioner, Lt-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, in July this year.

Among others, Mkhwanazi has alleged that the now placed on special leave Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, had disbanded the Political Killings Task Team in an effort to protect suspected criminals.

The committee had already received a month’s extension. It aims to still call more than 20 witnesses to appear before it and must also consider over 200 public submissions.

Chairperson Molapi Lekganyane says the committee will approach the Speaker of Parliament for another extension.

“That the committee started work on this date, (considering the) work we have done so far, (and the) way we see things, (we) won’t have finished work by 28 November and motivate why need time to consider public submissions,” says Lekganyane.

Parliament’s Ad Hoc committee has rejected a legal opinion from Parliament’s legal department, on the continued participation of DA MP Diane Kohler-Barnard. Among others, Mkhwanazi has alleged Members of Parliament, like Kohler-Barnard have broken the law by having classified intelligence information in her possession.

According to Parliament’s legal representative, Andile Tetyana, Kohler-Barnard may participate in the committee except when the issue of classified intelligence is discussed.

However, MPs like ANC member, Xola Nqola and David Skosana from the MKP, dismissed the opinion as insufficient.

“It is astonishing to receive legal opinion of parliament with no reference to the rules of National Assembly, but no reference aspects raised by parly rules, regarding conflict of interest. Let’s give them another chance to go and rework this. We are again embarrassed. We have not received anything. It’s like we are gossiping in a shebeen,” says Tetyana.

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The committee met earlier to discuss the next round of witnesses it wants to appear before it.

“We will retain Deputy Minister Boshielo and Minister Cachalia and IDAC for next week,” says Lekganyane.

The committee has decided that Mkhwanazi will be called to respond to a number of issues at the tail end of the committee wrapping up its work.