CA – Countdown begins for SAPS investigation by Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee
PARLIAMENT’S Ad Hoc Committee is set to begin its investigation into allegations against SAPS KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, with a deadline of February 20, 2026.
The committee met virtually on Wednesday, where they discussed its public participation process, the programme relating to the resumption of oral hearings, as well as received a report on cases against forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan.
The committee had an extensive list of agenda points to discuss, but only made minor resolutions with the intent to reconvene early next week before their hearings officially start on Wednesday.
The testimonies of controversial ANC-aligned North West businessman Brown Mogotsi and O’Sullivan were significant talking points during the meeting.
In regard to O’Sullivan, the committee decided they would have Parliament’s legal team give them a presentation on the status of the various charges against him and those withdrawn.
O’Sullivan’s name arose during the testimony of Mkhwanazi and when suspended police minister’s chief of staff, Cedrick Nkabinde, claimed O’Sullivan wields the power to influence operations in the police, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
The committee also agreed that O’Sullivan and Mogotsi should appear before the committee and that it must be in person.
The ANC’s Xola Nqola said: “(These) witnesses must be dragged kicking and screaming to the Ad Hoc committee.”
Committee members also reiterated that Mkhwanazi will have to appear again before it completes its work in February.
The committee received substantive submissions from civil groups, including: Accountability Now (Affidavit), African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum (APCOF), Institute for Security Studies (ISS), Dullah Omar Institute / ACJR (University of the Western Cape), Gun Free South Africa, and Mr Ramavhulela.
They had submissions from: Patricia Mashale, Brigadier Hlungwani (former Head of Secret Service Account), Cpt Ramalepe, Mr Dotyeni (former SAPS Crime Intelligence analyst), Lt General Mdluli, Mr Mlandu, Mr Mashukuca, Mr Mafhoho, Mr Chetty, an anonymous individual, Advocate Mrwebi, Dr Rolls, Advocate Maqebhula, Mr Miya, and Mr Mokgope.
They also said that they will remain open to adding more people from the public and not just keeping those who gave public submissions as to remain open and fair.
The committee is set to resume with the testimony of former acting national police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane and head of crime intelligence, Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo.
Phahlane is expected to appear before the committee on Wednesday, and Khumalo has been set down for Thursday and Friday.
Other witnesses expected before the committee this month include former IPID boss Robert McBride and EMPD Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi.
theolin.tembo@inl.co.za