The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) deputy secretary-general, Leigh-Ann Mathys, announced that the party would open a case of perjury against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s chief of staff, Cedrick Nkabinde.

“Nkabinde lied in his statement before the Ad Hoc Committee, resulting in the adjournment of the committee,” Mathys said. The EFF confirmed that the case would be opened at the Cape Town Police Station at 5pm.

Nkabinde is accused of lying about his relationship with controversial businessman Brown Mokgotsi, his involvement in matters under investigation by the Ad Hoc Committee, and the accuracy of dates related to certain events that took place.

Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee, tasked with probing allegations of corruption, criminal infiltration, and political interference within law enforcement, adjourned its proceedings after questioning the credibility of testimony presented by Nkabinde.

Committee chairperson Molapi Lekganyane said the committee was “in no position to proceed with today’s hearing given the quality of information” presented by Nkabinde, describing his explanation for inconsistencies as “inexcusable”.

Lekganyane said that as chief of staff, Nkabinde should have been able to confirm basic details such as the sequence of events in the minister’s diary.

“The witness is a chief of staff in a department, and the witness could have confirmed because the matters that were put before him are matters relating to dates, calendar days,” Soviet said.

“I am convinced that there was no demonstrable intention on the part of the witness to be truthful with the committee. These are very simple answers that the witness could have given.”

He added that Nkabinde’s statement and oral evidence contained “two sets of lies”, saying, “We have been told two sets of lies, lies in the statement and lies orally presented here before this committee.

”It’s a matter which the legal team of Parliament will have to look at if there is any consequence.”

Lekganyane confirmed that the committee would reschedule Nkabinde’s appearance, saying he remained a key witness.

“We are not saying that at the time of his reappearance he’s going to say something new,” he said. “He may come back and say the same information that he has given us here.”

When recalled to the chamber, Nkabinde conceded that his preparation had been inadequate. “I did not do much of a research because the time was very short during my engagement,” he told the committee.

“I definitely need to do a thorough homework in terms of, even if I estimate, but it should be a true reflection.”

However, the chairperson dismissed Nkabinde’s explanation that he lacked the necessary tools to verify information, saying such an excuse was “inexcusable” for someone in his position.

“As the Chief of Staff in the office where you work, do you develop monthly or weekly programmes?” Soviet asked, to which Nkabinde  said, “Weekly programmes.”

“So it then means the information that you must present before this committee , if you don’t have it here with yourself, you’ll have it at the office.

”The statement that you have made here that you do not have gadgets, by any professional standards, is inexcusable,” said Lekganyane. 

He urged Nkabinde to revise his submission with honesty and integrity, reminding him of his duty as a senior public servant.

“Go and look at yourself in the mirror,” he said. “See morality in the mirror and read it and understand what it is. See integrity in the mirror. See ethics in the mirror. See all the values in section 195 of the South African constitution and internalise them.”

The chairperson said the committee’s time was running out as its mandate expires on 28 November.

“We don’t have time. Our time is expiring on the 28th of November and in the next 10 days you should be ready,” he told Nkabinde.

Lekganyane called on members of parliament to reflect on how to recover lost time and work collaboratively to complete the inquiry’s remaining tasks before Parliament rises. 

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za 

IOL Politics 

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