Ad Hoc Committee adopts roadmap as Mkhwanazi inquiry moves into phased deliberations

According to IOL, the Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by KwaZulu‑Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has adopted a detailed roadmap and timetable to finalise and adopt its draft report.

Why the roadmap was needed

The committee’s secretariat tabled a process and schedule after parliamentary legal advisor Andile Tetyana told the committee that evidence leaders were facing challenges completing their evidentiary overview report, which had affected the inquiry’s timetable. “We would like the committee to consider another request for extension of the deadline within which the committee must submit its report to the House,” Tetyana said.

Phased timetable and aims

Content advisor to the committee Nicolette van Zyl‑Gous presented the proposed process, saying its purpose was to ensure the final report is grounded in the evidentiary record, informed by collective deliberations and capable of producing findings and recommendations to strengthen accountability and public confidence in police and the justice system.

The committee received an evidentiary overview from the evidence leaders and parties asked for a week to study it before discussions. Van Zyl‑Gous said the content team will record issues raised by MPs, identify areas needing further consideration, and assist in developing findings and recommendations arising from the evidence.

Five phases from June to July

Van Zyl‑Gous outlined five phases running from June 9 until mid‑July. The phases include establishing the record of evidence and methodology; a workshop on oversight and the committee’s mandate; evidentiary assessment and thematic deliberations; drafting findings and recommendations; and a period for affected persons to reply.

The timetable anticipates finalisation by July 16, with about eight meetings planned. Van Zyl‑Gous said the draft report will be sent to implicated persons over a two‑week period and that affected persons will have the right to reply. The timeline also notes that the finalisation may extend to July 31, 2026.

Immediate next steps

The committee began phase one by adopting the reporting schedule and will follow with a workshop on principles and mandate, discussion of the evidentiary overview, and introduction of the preliminary report’s structure. From June 11 to June 18 the committee will assess evidence, organise witness material and deliberate on seven themes.

As described by Van Zyl‑Gous, the content team will write findings and recommendations and circulate draft reports to MPs between June 19 and June 24, with the draft report due to be sent to implicated persons from June 25 until July 8. Representations by affected persons will be considered on July 10 ahead of finalisation and adoption on July 16.

Committee response

No questions were raised about the proposed schedule during the meeting. Concluding the session, committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane said the timetable had been accepted and adopted by the committee. “There will be a workshop (on Wednesday) on the principles that we should apply when we will be considering the reports,” Lekganyane said.

“We would like the committee to consider another request for extension of the deadline within which the committee must submit its report to the House,”

According to IOL, the roadmap and timetable were presented to guide deliberations and the drafting process as the committee moves toward producing its final report.