Lekganyane says committee has not ‘exonerated’ anyone after draft report sparks backlash

Parliament’s ad hoc committee chair Soviet Lekganyane has rejected media reports that the committee probing alleged corruption and political interference in the police has cleared certain individuals of wrongdoing, saying those reports are premature and based on a draft that is still under deliberation.

Draft preliminary report still being debated

Lekganyane said the committee has only begun considering its draft preliminary report and has not reached any conclusions. He said the committee discussed the second draft preliminary report at a meeting and that the document was “significantly enriched by the members.”

“The third draft preliminary report may be available for further deliberations by next week,” he said, adding that the committee would only adopt the report “two or more weeks after it had been shared with affected parties.”

Concerns from MPs and misleading coverage

MPs raised concerns that the draft omitted some recommendations and appeared to exonerate people implicated in the inquiry, including suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. Lekganyane said he had noted “with concern misleading viral reports” alleging the committee had “exonerated” or “cleared” various individuals, calling such coverage “premature, irrational and gullible.”

“The media commentary is akin to putting the cart before the horse based on a draft preliminary report that is subject to deliberations,” he said. He urged the public to “trust the process and their elected representatives to make determinations that are evidence-based, impartial and judicious.”

Key findings in the draft report (as presented to the committee)

The draft preliminary report, as discussed by the committee, made several limited findings and recorded areas where evidence remained unresolved:

• It found no links between suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and alleged political fixer Brown Mogotsi and criminal networks, and it found no evidence of a corrupt agreement or instructions linked to a criminal cartel in relation to Mchunu. The draft also recorded executive accountability and unresolved integrity concerns regarding Mchunu.
• It recorded “serious unresolved issues and referrals” involving suspended Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, but found no evidence that he acted on behalf of Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, Brown Mogotsi or an organised crime network.
• The draft made no findings of corruption, perjury or extortion in relation to allegations made by Matlala in the Rolex false affidavit involving former police minister Bheki Cele.
• It made no personal criminal or disciplinary findings against Investigating Directorate Against Corruption head Advocate Andrea Johnson.
• The draft found no unlawful disclosure of classified intelligence information by MPs Fadiel Adams and Dianne Kohler-Barnard.
• It listed individuals who either did not testify before the committee or whose evidence was not tested.
• Suspended crime intelligence official Major-General Feroz Khan’s absence “limited the committee’s ability to resolve allegations concerning him,” and the draft recorded no adverse finding.
• The report recorded concerns about the conduct of private investigators and access to information by forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan and Sarah-Jane Trent.

Next steps and public expectations

Lekganyane appealed to the public to have confidence in the committee and in Parliament’s oversight of the criminal justice system. He said that once the committee concludes its processes, the Speaker of the National Assembly will inform the public accordingly.

“Though members of the committee are in agreement with most of the contents of the report, there are equally varying findings and recommendations that have to be incorporated into the report for further deliberations,” Lekganyane said. He urged patience while the committee completes its work.