The key figures who are set to shape the Mkhwanazi inquiry

Parliament's ad hoc committee investigating Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's allegations has begun its proceedings and will be calling numerous witnesses and evidence leaders to testify. By Suné Payne

- By Suné Payne

The ANC's Molapi Soviet Lekganyane (middle) is the chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate Allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

(Photo: Zwelethemba Kostile/Parliament RSA)

On Tuesday, 7 October, the parliamentary ad hoc committee established to investigate the explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi finally held public hearings after weeks of preparation.

As at the Madlanga Commission, Mkhwanazi was the first to testify. The oral hearings before the ad hoc committee will feature many of the witnesses at the Madlanga Commission.

Although the committee has given itself 30 days to finish its work, this seems unlikely. Its witness list could include more than 30 people.

Here's a look at some of the main characters in this National Assembly committee, officially named the Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate Allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Former Limpopo MEC for cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs Soviet Lekganyane is the committee's chairperson. He was elected during its first meeting held in August.

Lekganyane holds a secondary teacher's diploma, an LLB degree, a bachelor's degree in politics, an honours degree in politics and a postgraduate diploma in leadership and public management.

He has been an ANC MP since June. After his appointment, opposition parties raised issues with his being an ANC MP (although EFF MP Julius Malema declined to accept a nomination as the committee chairperson) rather than an opposition member. This is because of the allegations of interference against his fellow ANC member, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who is on special leave.