The newly established ad hoc committee of Parliament has elected ANC MP Molapi Soviet Lekganyane as its chairperson to lead the investigation into serious allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lt-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

The election took place during the committee’s inaugural meeting, convened in terms of National Assembly Rule 158, on Tuesday.  Lekganyane was nominated by ANC chief whip Mdumiseni Ntuli and seconded by IFP’s Mangaqa Mcwango. 

EFF leader Julius Malema was also nominated by MK Party MP David Skhosana and seconded by Sibonelo Nomvalo, but he declined the nomination, stating: “No, thanks for the nomination. I’m not available.”

Parliament formed the committee two weeks ago following explosive allegations by Mkhwanazi last month.

Mkhwanzi claimed that some of SAPS’ most senior officials are involved in corruption, and linked Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to dubious individuals.

Among its key tasks, the committee will investigate the alleged unlawful disbanding of the Political Killings Task Team by Mchunu, as well as the alleged removal of 121 dockets by Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya.

mAccepting the position, Lekganyane expressed his appreciation to committee members for their confidence in him: “Honourable members, I want to take this opportunity and thank you for the confidence that you have shown in me to be the chairperson of this committee, which is a committee of parliament that has been put in place as a result of matters of grave concern.”

He highlighted the gravity of the committee’s mandate, saying: “All the eyes of the people of the republic are on this committee. And all the hopes of the people of this country are on us. Wherever there could have been unscrupulous activities, South Africans would want to hear us rise into the occasion, speaking on their behalf.”

Lekganyane also addressed public distrust in Parliament, citing recent public opinion research. 

“If we look at the surveys that have been done previously, South Africans are losing confidence in public institutions, including parliament. I think the last survey that I saw done by Afrobarometer was saying that the confidence of South Africans in parliament is at 27%.”

He continued: “It’s up to us, all of us sitting here, to say those confidence ratings or those confidence levels, is that what we represent, or do they represent us as members of parliament?”

Outlining his background, Lekganyane said: “I come from the province of Limpopo, the same province where Honourable Julius Sello Malema comes from. I have previously served as the member of the Executive Council responsible for local government and human settlements in the province of Limpopo between 2009 and 2010, and thereafter I was elected provincial secretary of the ANC.”

He added: “In 2014, I went back to the legislature where I served as the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee of Finance. And then in 2018, I resigned again from the legislature to become the provincial secretary of the ANC. In 2024, I was elected to be a member of parliament.”

Lekganyane also noted his experience as a special advisor to the Minister of Basic Education between 2022 and 2024.

“I worked with the Minister of Basic Education, Minister Motshekga, as a special advisor. I have four university qualifications. Amongst them, there is a law degree and an honours degree in political science.”

Lekganyane further  proposed that the secretariat prepare the committee’s terms of reference.  “What I want to propose is that the secretariat develop terms of reference for the committee and its programme. So the next meeting, the sooner they conclude that, we must get into the next meeting and adopt those terms of reference.”

“This is the kind of attitude and work ethic that will take us to greater heights, and I want to give you 100% for the manner in which we responded to the call.”

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za 

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