Since October, Members of Parliament serving on an Ad Hoc Committee have been investigating serious allegations of corruption, including claims that criminal syndicates may be operating in collusion with senior politicians and government officials.
The inquiry gained momentum following the appearance of KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as the first witness in early October.
Since then, MPs have spent extensive hours scrutinising evidence and testimonies in an effort to uncover the truth behind the allegations.
Political analyst Theo Venter commented on the inquiry’s unprecedented approach:
“It is really something new, also in the way in which it was done through the different political parties. Apart from the political theatre it provided in some cases, the committee worked intensively. Initially, they had a month to investigate, but it quickly became clear that more time was needed. It took each candidate three or four days, sometimes even more, to complete their hearings.”
Venter highlighted some of the unconventional steps taken by the committee, including relocating hearings to Pretoria, where they interviewed inmates, giving convicts like Cat Matlala the chance to testify, a first in recent parliamentary history.
“Most of the things that came out suggest there is definitely some truth to the allegations made by Mkhwanazi,” Venter added.
The committee’s final report is expected to be released sometime next year, but the inquiry has already signalled a commitment to a thorough and transparent investigation into corruption at high levels of government.
Listen to the full interview below:
Photo: VOCfm
