The Parliament Ad Hoc Committee today resumes its work on allegations of criminal infiltration, corruption and political interference in the criminal justice system, with Cedrick Nkabinde returning to continue his testimony.
On Tuesday, human rights activist and violence monitor Dr Mary de Haas appeared before the committee, where she questioned the credibility of senior police officials and defended suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s decision to disband the Political Killings Task Team.
De Haas told MPs she did not find KwaZulu Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi or Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo credible, while describing Mchunu as “sensible” in his approach to firearms control and crime prevention.
De Haas also acknowledged that she had previously written to Mchunu asking for the disbandment of the task team, saying she believed the unit had produced fabricated statements.
MPs pressed her on similarities between her letter and Mchunu’s own directive to the National Commissioner, prompting questions about whether she had influenced the decision.
She maintained that she supported the disbandment but rejected claims that she was behind the move.
Nkabinde’s return today follows testimony last week in which he detailed his role as Chief of Staff to suspended minister Mchunu.
Nkabinde confirmed that he arranged meetings between Mchunu and Brown Mogotsi at the minister’s official Pretoria residence, although he was not present during the discussions.
He said he received Mogotsi’s contact details from Commissioner Mkhwanazi and facilitated at least one meeting linked to illegal mining concerns in the North West.
He told the committee his involvement was limited to logistics and that Mchunu sometimes held meetings without him as part of his working style.
MPs also questioned whether any communication he received referenced alleged crime figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
Nkabinde said he had never been sent or copied in any message mentioning Matlala .
The committee is expected to press Nkabinde further on the interactions between political leaders, police officials and individuals implicated in earlier phases of the inquiry.
Members will continue assessing whether relationships described in testimony had any improper influence on policing decisions.
A live stream of today’s proceedings appears below.
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