Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee member, Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Parliament, Lisa Schickerling, has been withdrawn by her party.

The committee was set up to investigate wide-ranging allegations of criminal infiltration, corruption and political interference in the justice system made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Schickerling, has been withdrawn after she laid a complaint against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who has been placed on special leave.

Today, Deputy Police Commissioner, Shadrack Sibiya, is appearing before the committee. Shickerling’s colleague on the committee, Glynnis Breytenbach, explains why they thought the change was necessary.

“Hon Schickerling laid criminal charges against the minister some time ago, perusing the affidavit it makes clear there exists a conflict. We have written to the speaker to withdraw her and replace her with Honourable Klopper.”

Questions have also been raised around uMkhonto weSizwe Party MP, David Skosana, who laid a charge of defeating the ends of justice against Mchunu and Sibiya.

Evidence leader, advocate Norman Arendse, says an argument could be made that a person who laid a charge should not be on the committee looking into these matters.

However, MK Party MP, Sibonelo Nomvalo disagreed.

“ (It is ) not Skosana who laid complaint, it was MK. If you say conflict of interest, you say MK should not take part. And all of us share the sentiment that there is rot in the police that warranted our action to lay a complaint. So, where I am sitting, nothing warrants a discussion at this stage.”

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