The Ad Hoc Committee established to investigate allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has rejected claims that it has exonerated or cleared individuals implicated during its inquiry.
The clarification follows mounting criticism of the committee’s second draft preliminary report, which some members and opposition parties have described as “watered down” and lacking firm findings.
Committee Chairperson Soviet Lekganyane dismissed reports suggesting the committee had reached conclusions, describing such claims as “misleading”, “premature”, “irrational” and “gullible”.
He stressed that the committee remains in the deliberation phase and that no final decisions have been taken.
“During its meeting, the committee considered inputs from its members on the second draft preliminary report, which was significantly enriched by members’ contributions.
“The third draft preliminary report may be available for further deliberations by next week,” Lekganyane said.
He explained that the committee would only adopt its final report at least two weeks after it has been shared with all affected parties, in line with parliamentary processes.
“The media commentary is akin to putting the cart before the horse, based on a draft preliminary report that remains subject to deliberation.
“While committee members agree with much of the report’s contents, there are differing findings and recommendations that still need to be incorporated before further deliberations,” he said.
Lekganyane also sought to reassure the public that the Speaker of the National Assembly would communicate the outcome once the committee had completed its work.
The committee has come under increasing pressure from opposition parties and other stakeholders, who argue that the draft report is vague, diluted and appears to shield certain witnesses from accountability.
Among the concerns raised are the committee’s treatment of suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu over his instruction for the immediate disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT); suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya in relation to the 121 PKTT case dockets; allegations that confidential information was shared with alleged fixer Brown Mogotsi; and Sibiya’s reported relationship with alleged organised crime figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Critics have also accused the committee of failing to take a tougher stance against witnesses it believes may have committed perjury or withheld material information during the inquiry.
The committee is expected to continue deliberating on a third draft of the preliminary report before a final version is adopted and submitted through the National Assembly’s processes.
