Mkhwanazi first to testify in SAPS corruption commission

THE Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry, established to investigate alleged corruption in the criminal justice system, will begin its work on September 17 with Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the KwaZulu-Natal SAPS Commissioner, expected to be among the first witnesses to testify.

- RAPULA MOATSHE

The commission's spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, announced this at a media briefing yesterday at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College, where the commission's proceedings will take place.

He said the commission's evidence leaders and investigators have been consulting with witnesses and following up on information within the commission's terms of reference.

They have also been in contact with Mkhwanazi, “whom the commission intends to call as its first witness”.

He said the commission is aware that the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee wants Mkhwanazi to testify soon, and they are communicating with the committee to ensure this happens cooperatively.

“There are other witnesses whose details, based on security considerations, we are not at liberty to divulge,” he said.

He said that preparing to call a witness involves intricate details, but he would not elaborate on the specifics of the process.

The commission, initially set to begin last week, delayed its proceedings to procure essential services, including laptops, cybersecurity measures, and email storage systems, which were crucial for its operations.