By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
16 July 2025 – A joint meeting between the Portfolio Committee on Police and the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development said it has resolved to recommend to the National Assembly (NA) that an ad hoc committee is the best parliamentary process to consider allegations made by the South African Police Service KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkwanazi.
The Chairperson of Committee on Police, Ian Cameron said following consideration of a Parliamentary Legal Service legal opinion, the committees were of the view that an ad hoc committee is the best format to interrogate the allegations. Cameron said ad hoc committees are formed as per Rule 253 of the National Assembly.
“The rationale for this option is that the scope of such a committee is specific and time-bound. The committee was presented with two alternative options: a full-blown investigative inquiry and two committees exercising their conferring powers in terms of NA Rule 169.
“The majority of committee members present in the meeting were in favour of the ad hoc committee, as members felt Parliament would thereby remain involved in such a process exercising their oversight responsibility,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, Xola Nqola shared the same sentiments. Nqola said the committee reiterated the urgency of the matter and the need to reach findings on the allegations to protect the integrity and standing of the entire criminal justice system.
“Also, the committee highlighted the need to avoid duplication of the work of the commission of inquiry established by the President. Lastly, the committee emphasised the need for continuous oversight over the work of the Presidential commission of inquiry and requested that the interim reports submitted to the President be made available to Parliament.
“At the next meeting, the committee is expected to discuss the terms of reference and timelines for such an ad hoc committee. The committees will on 23 July 2025, as per the directive from the Speaker, recommend to the NA that an ad hoc committee be established to consider the matter,” he said.
Nqola said furthermore, the committees’ recommendations will emphasise the need for urgency in considering the matter.
The Guardian 