MK Party's cautious approach to the proposed Ad Hoc Committee investigating police allegations

The MK Party on Tuesday reserved its position on the report of the two committees that recommended to the National Assembly the establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

The report was adopted after MPs had raised some concerns related to omissions and sanitisation, among other things, in the minutes of their previous joint meeting and the draft report, prompting amendments to be made.

“We don’t want to be included in the people who agreed on everything. The MK reserves its position to this report,” said the party’s Mzwanele Manyi.

Rise Mzansi MP Makashule Gana said they noted the MK Party’s reservation of the right.

“I hope as they reserve when we get to the House, they are not to vote against the establishment of committees that will look into the allegations,” Gana said.

The two committees, along with the Joint Committee on Intelligence, were tasked by National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza to consider on an urgent basis the wide range of allegations regarding security matters that have implications for the country’s national security in line with their respective mandates.

During the deliberations, questions were asked about the terms of reference of the Ad Hoc Committee and how it will be constituted.

Responding to some of the questions, Police Portfolio Committee chairperson Ian Cameron said the final terms of reference will be set by the Ad Hoc Committee.

“It is not for us to set out the entire terms of reference,” Cameron said.

“This Ad Hoc Committee will have an opportunity to refine whatever the terms of reference are,” he said, adding that the joint committees’ work would come to an end once they have reported to the National Assembly.

Cameron also said they have until July 23 to submit their report with the summary of findings and recommendations, which was the establishment of the Ad Hoc Committee.

It was not immediately clear whether the report will be tabled in the House on Wednesday when the National Assembly holds its last plenary sitting before the constituency period starts next week until September.

MK Party MP David Skosana said they should restore the dignity and public trust in SAPS.

“We need go to the bottom of this. There should not be anything between us and the truth. Some of the institutions are hiding the truth,” Skosana said.

Manyi wanted to know how many members will form the Ad Hoc Committee, and Cameron said there will be proportional representation of parties.

EFF MP Leigh-Ann Mathys raised concern that the meeting was rushed as it was allocated an hour and thirty minutes.

“Everything is rushed,” Mathys said.

Her colleague Rebecca Mohlala noted with concern that the report was without the terms of reference.

“I am a little bit concerned. The report is without the terms of reference of the Ad Hoc Committee,” Mohlala said.

But, Cameron said the terms of reference will be determined in a motion and that the Ad Hoc Committee will determine the exact terms of reference.

“We have given certain guidelines, but the Ad Hoc Committee will detail the terms of reference and request legal opinion,” Cameron added.

In a statement issued after the joint meting, Cameron and chairperson for the Justice and Constitutional Development Portfolio Committee, Xola Nqola, said the Ad Hoc Committee represented the most effective parliamentary mechanism to fully investigate and deliberate on the allegations by Mkhwanazi.

They said their report emphasised the need for the National Assembly to ensure an expeditious process.

“Without being prescriptive, the committees propose that the National Assembly takes into account, should it resolve to establish an Ad Hoc Committee as recommended, the need for the process to be concluded within 90 days of the committee being established, provided that the timeframe may be amended or extended if necessary.”

Nqola and Cameron said the multi-party Ad Hoc Committee will ensure a transparent, thorough and fair process.

“The committees further noted that actual composition of such a committee, as well as its terms of reference, does not reside with the joint meeting.”

mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za