Parliament's Mkhwanazi Committee Wraps Up Hearings After Explosive Testimony on Police Corruption and Political Killings

Parliament's Mkhwanazi Committee Wraps Up Hearings After Explosive Testimony on Police Corruption and Political Killings

CAPE TOWN, 18 March 2026. A parliamentary ad hoc committee investigating allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi concluded its oral hearing programme on Wednesday, following months of testimony that exposed deep fractures within South Africa's police leadership and raised claims of criminal infiltration at the most senior levels of the country's law enforcement and intelligence apparatus.

The committee's final session saw Mkhwanazi testify for the last time, targeting suspended Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya with fresh allegations as the proceedings drew to a close. Mkhwanazi declared there would "never be peace" between himself and Sibiya, characterising their relationship as irrevocably broken after months of mutual public accusations. The committee will now prepare a report with findings and recommendations to be submitted to the National Assembly.

The inquiry was established to examine allegations Mkhwanazi first aired publicly, alleging that a criminal syndicate had infiltrated law enforcement and intelligence services, and that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu had colluded with criminal elements to disband KwaZulu-Natal's Political Killings Task Team, the unit responsible for investigating politically motivated murders in the province, which has a long history of political violence. Mchunu had also appeared before the committee, disputing Mkhwanazi's characterisations.

Over the course of the inquiry, the committee heard from more than two dozen witnesses, including private investigator Paul O'Sullivan, former National Police Commissioner Khomotso Phahlane, and numerous current and former intelligence and policing officials. A criminal case arising from evidence given to the committee was formally opened at a Cape Town police station on 12 March 2026 and referred to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks.

President Cyril Ramaphosa was required to respond to questions from the committee about his knowledge of the allegations, in a session that tested the constitutional accountability mechanisms for executive oversight of the police service. The committee's report, expected in the weeks following the conclusion of hearings, would form the basis of parliamentary recommendations to the President on any further action.

The Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate Allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi was constituted by the National Assembly following Mkhwanazi's public statements in mid-2025. South Africa has no permanent legislative committee for this type of inquiry.