The Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate Allegations made by the South African Police Service KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkwanazi, today elected Mr Molapi Soviet Lekganyane as its chairperson.

The committee is empowered by National Assembly Rule 253 and was established following the allegations made by General Mkhwanazi. Mr Lekganyane said in his opening remarks that the matters before the committee are of grave concern to South Africa. “Wherever there would have been unscrupulous activities, South Africans would want us to rise to the occasion and unearth it,” said the Chairperson.

The committee is tasked to investigate the veracity and implications of all the allegations made by Gen Mkhwanazi about organs of state and criminal syndicates operating in the country, emphasised Mr Lekganyane.

In its first meeting, the committee agreed that the draft terms of reference guiding its work should be finalised by Friday. Members of the committee will have an opportunity to make input into the terms of reference before that date. The committee also directed the Parliament Legal Services to ensure that all aspects relating to the process and rights of citizens are protected.

Mr Lekganyane said the role of the committee is to unearth the truth about the allegations and to provide a way forward for Parliament. The committee will meet next week to further discuss its terms of reference and programme.