Mkhwanazi Inquiry reveals significant problems in the State Security Agency, says ANC's Sangoni-Diko

African National Congress (ANC) Member of Parliament, Khusela Sangoni-Diko, and member of the Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by SAPS KwaZulu-Natal provincial head, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, said it was just the tip of the iceberg.

Sangoni-Diko was talking on the side of the Ad Hoc Committee probing the allegations Mkhwanazi made of police corruption and interference, where she was discussing her thoughts on Mkhwanazi’s testimony, and some of the explosive claims that have since come to light.

DA MP Dianne Kohler Barnard has faced mounting pressure to step down from the committee after explosive allegations that she leaked classified Crime Intelligence information.

The bombshell claims were made by Mkhwanazi, who told both the Madlanga Commission and Parliament that Kohler Barnard unlawfully disclosed top-secret intel, and that this sparked targeted attacks on the Crime Intelligence unit.

Sangoni-Diko said the ANC has greatly welcomed the intervention made by Mkhwanazi to bring these issues to the fore.

“We're obviously gravely concerned about the issues that he's raising, especially the alleged infiltration by criminal syndicates of our law enforcement system. The evidence that he's put before the committee speaks to deep-rooted problems, and we think that we're getting somewhere in understanding it, but I mean, as he says, it may just be the tip of the iceberg,” Sangoni-Diko said.

Sangoni-Diko added that what they are hoping to identity as part of the inquiry is gaps, especially in legislation, “and we want to look at executive action, and also how parliament has failed Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi, because to do that will allow us to develop a report that's got binding recommendations.

"And they are binding in this case because they'll be adopted by the National Assembly, unlike those of the Madlanga Commission where the executive can decide whether to implement them or not," Sangoni-Diko added.

“I think we need to study some of his recommendations. He speaks about the fact that he thinks there are legislative gaps, especially as it relates to the functions, the powers of provincial commissioners. He speaks to a recommendation around the devolution of powers, and we want to understand how that is supposed to work within a unitary police service.

“When he speaks about the location of crime intelligence, and you know, what sort of reporting structures should be there. This is not work that's starting from scratch.

“We have (previously) had a high-level panel review into the State Security Agency, and maybe we need to look at how we take that forward in terms of the broader intelligence services. It's not a mandate of this ad-hoc committee, but that would be something perhaps the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence, together with the Executive, would need to consider, but there are clearly problems there, and it warrants greater attention,” she said.

On the allegations levelled against Kohler-Barnard, she said that the ANC has pushed very hard for this process to be insulated from bias, and that is the reason why they asked that the DA should consider having Kohler-Barnard recuse herself.

“If you listen to the general, he makes allegations about other members of Parliament that perhaps he has not yet mentioned besides Honourable Kohler-Barnard and Honourable (Fadiel) Adams, and I think that's something we need to get into,” she said.

 Kohler-Barnard is not quitting the Ad Hoc Committee yet, but her party is seeking legal advice.

This was revealed by DA MP Ian Cameron at the start of Wednesday's proceedings.

During the committee’s late night discussion, pressure was placed on her and her party to excuse herself or the DA should replace her as an alternate member to the committee.

Cameron told the committee that Kohler-Barnard was not in attendance as she followed the proceedings virtually.

He indicated that no one would be recused or planned to do so.

“We asked for legal opinion on the matter. We will give relevant feedback,” he said.

Committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane said they would not discuss the matter because Kohler-Barnard was not present.

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