Cape Town - Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee inquiry into alleged corruption and political interference within South Africa's criminal justice system continues this week with a series of high-profile testimonies. Deputy Police Minister Polly Boshielo is scheduled to testify, facing intense scrutiny regarding alleged corruption and political meddling.
Boshielo to Face Tough Questions
Deputy Police Minister Polly Boshielo will appear before the committee today, where she's expected to answer questions regarding allegations of corruption within the police force. This follows Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale's statement that he hasn't been assigned specific duties despite being in the position for over a year, raising concerns about the functioning of the ministry.
Other Key Witnesses
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia will also testify before the Ad Hoc Committee on Wednesday. Advocate Andrea Johnson, head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption, is scheduled to appear on Thursday and Friday. Their testimonies are crucial to understanding the extent of corruption and political interference within the criminal justice system.
Controversial Testimony from Incarcerated Witness
The committee's decision to call Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, currently imprisoned on charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering, has drawn criticism. Criminal defense attorney William Booth has questioned the legal soundness of having a remand detainee testify while their case is ongoing, citing potential risks and wasted public funds.
Call for Nationwide Political Killings Task Team
Meanwhile, Crime Intelligence Head Dumisani Khumalo has recommended expanding the KwaZulu-Natal-based political killings task team model nationwide. He highlighted the team's success using an “analysis-driven and prosecutorial-led investigation” methodology to combat organised crime. Khumalo pointed to the murder of Transnet whistleblower Armand Swart as a catalyst for these reforms.
Organised Crime Concerns
Khumalo revealed that suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu disbanded the KZN task team after only seven months, allegedly due to its investigation into Gauteng-based drug cartels. This raises serious questions about the commitment to tackling organised crime at the highest levels.