The public hearings of the ad hoc committee in Parliament that is looking into allegations of political interference and operational failures in the South African Police Service (SAPS) will begin on Tuesday. The first witness is expected to be KZN police commissioner Lt-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Senior counsel to the committee, Advocate Norman Arendse, confirmed during a media briefing on Friday that Mkhwanazi’s statement has been finalised and is now available to MPs via SharePoint.

Arendse explained to the committee, "The delay was due to the fact that finalizing these statements has not been easy." “There have been further engagements with General Mkhwanazi, including early this morning,” although "General Mkhwanazi has had a near-final draft since yesterday around lunchtime." The inquiry was set up to probe political interference, leadership failures, and internal dysfunction in the SAPS with a particular focus on allegations raised by Mkhwanazi about interference within the police command on July 6. It is anticipated that a number of former and current officials will be called to testify.

Arendse stated that the legal team still within its three-to-four-day timeframe to submit statements. He warned that all submissions remain confidential until formally introduced during the hearings. When we make these statements available to the members, they are under embargo and confidential,” he said. "Members are not permitted to disclose anything until we have led the evidence in fact." Molapi Lekganyane, who is in charge of the committee, said that the statement was available and that members should be given contact information for IT support. "If there is a problem, the member should not try to solve it. They must simply know who they can call, he stated. Arendse added that the parliamentary chamber will provide hard copies of witness statements, annexures, and other relevant materials.

Outlining Tuesday’s proceedings, Arendse said Lekganyane would open the session and introduce committee members. The legal team would then deliver its opening statement before calling Mkhwanazi, who will be sworn in at that point. “I will proceed to engage with the witness,” Arendse said. I do not propose going over the witness statement paragraph by paragraph. I will be examining him based on topics, and I will obviously reference the statement.” Arendse clarified that committee members would not participate on the first day. The engagement will primarily take place between the witness and the evidence leader on day one. The Honourable Members would not be expected to participate on day one. He added that members would have the opportunity to pose questions on Wednesday.

“On the second day, members will have an opportunity to ask questions of the witness. Thereafter, subject to your discretion, Chairperson, we may ask an opportunity to again re-examine the witness if there are any issues we feel we should traverse with the witness concerned.” Arendse also noted that the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry's procedure will differ from the parliamentary inquiry's. He said he wouldn't go over Mkhwanazi's statement one paragraph at a time like he had done in the past. Instead, Arendse explained that he would examine the witness based on specific topics, referencing the statement as needed. “The terms of reference for this inquiry are different,” Arendse said, “so there will be variations in the focus and line of questioning.�

�� Arendse stated, "It will be a little different from the procedure that was used when General Mkhwanazi gave evidence to the Madlanga Commission." “ On Monday, we will have additional discussions with General Mkhwanazi to discuss some of these disagreements with him so that he is not surprised. General Fannie Masemola is expected to appear later in the week, followed by General Shadrack Sibiya. Former police ministers Bheki Cele, suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, Acting Minister Firoz Cachalia, and two deputy ministers will testify during the next phase of the inquiry.

Arendse also confirmed that, pending a final directive from the Joint Committee Chairs, the Inspector-General of Intelligence had expressed willingness to appear before the committee.