Madlanga Commission expects to call Mkhwanazi as first witness
The Madlanga Commission says its public hearings, which will start next Wednesday at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria, are all set.
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who made allegations of criminality, political interference and corruption in policing, is expected to be the first witness.
The commission’s spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, updated the public on the state of readiness on Monday by announcing the launch of a confidential reporting hotline.
"We can now confirm that the consultation to which the chairperson of the Commission, Justice Madlanga, referred was with Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi, whom the commission intends to call as its first witness," he added.
"The commission has simultaneously been in consultation with a number of other witnesses whose details, based on security considerations, we are not at liberty to divulge. The preparations for calling a witness are intricate and it's important for the public to understand. I am not going to elaborate on the details involved."
The hearings were initially scheduled to begin on 1 September but were postponed due to delays in the procurement of essential infrastructure.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the commission in July after Mkhwanazi alleged that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu had received payments from a corruption suspect.
He also accused him of having played a role in dismantling the KZN Political Killings Task Team to shield politically connected people.
The commissioner also accused other officials of obstructing police work against organised crime.
Ramaphosa has since suspended Mchunu pending the outcome of the commission’s work.
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