Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee suspended

Zuko Komisa

Image | Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi at the Madlanga Commission | Youtube

The Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee suspended its investigation after deeming the testimony of Mchunu Nkabinde, Chief of Staff to the Police Minister, to be unsatisfactory and inconsistent.
Nkabinde could not clarify key matters, including the sequence of his contact with businessman Brown Mogotsi, leading the Chairperson to accuse him of failing to be forthright with the committee.
The committee has requested legal advice on potential consequences for the witness’s conduct, stressing it will not allow its work to be undermined by untruthful testimony.

The Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has suspended its proceedings.

The halt follows what the committee deemed ‘unsatisfactory’ testimony from Mchunu Nkabinde, the Chief of Staff in the Office of the Minister of Police.

During Thursday’s hearing, Mr. Nkabinde failed to provide clarity on key matters, particularly the sequence of events relating to his contact with North West businessman Brown Mogotsi.

The committee found his evidence to be inconsistent and lacking in accuracy, especially regarding details that could have been easily verified, such as entries in the Minister’s official diary.

Ad Hoc Committee Chairperson Soviet Lekganyane sharply criticised the witness’s conduct. He stated that Mr. Nkabinde “failed to provide clear and truthful responses to straightforward questions,” and despite his senior post, “demonstrated no intention to be forthright with the committee.”

As a result, the committee resolved to discontinue the proceedings for the day and will consider rescheduling Mr. Nkabinde’s appearance. Furthermore, the Parliamentary Legal Services team has been asked to advise on potential consequences arising from the witness’s conduct.