The parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee, set to investigate allegations made by the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has called for the public’s input.
The committee extended the invitation in accordance to the Terms of Reference (ToR).
Recently, the commission postponed its hearing as General Mkhwanazi, who was scheduled to testify before the Madlanga Commission, was unavailable.
On Wednesday, 17 September, General Mkhwanazi began testifying at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into his allegations.
Political parties’ reactions
Political parties reacted to the committee’s decision, with the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK Party) criticising it. The party argued that the Ad Hoc committee should have started with testimonies long before the Madlanga Commission commenced.
Moreover, Action South Africa (ActionSA) also raised concerns that some Ad Hoc Committee members were allegedly improperly calling witnesses.
ActionSA MP, Dareleen James, highlighted in a statement that members have committed a direct contradiction to the ToR.
“ActionSA rejects any attempt to treat this as an ex post facto exercise whereby the Chairperson independently engaged with witnesses and arranges appearances without prior deliberation by the committee,” James stated.
James stated that they will study the matter and decide on measures to protect the integrity of the committee’s work. She also said they will ensure that the committee’s proceedings are not compromised.
Ad Hoc Committee on ToR
The committee noted that the inquiry will operate within its ToR, which can be adjusted to support its objectives.
“Section 59(1)(a) of the Constitution obligates the committee to facilitate public involvement in its processes and that individual and all interested partners are offered a reasonable opportunity to be informed of the work of the committee and to have a say,” the committee stated.
The ToR has been made available from the committee secretariat or parliament’s website.
Furthermore, the committee emphasised that it will only consider relevant submissions.
The Ad Hoc Committee has also urged interested individuals to come forward, so they can receive the necessary support.
