Ad Hoc Committee
Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee digging into claims of criminal networks in the justice system has moved its sessions to Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Tshwane this week. Starting today, 25 November 2025, and running until Friday, the shift aims to keep everyone safe, especially key witness Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who sits in jail. South African Police Service (SAPS) Chief Financial Officer Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane kicks off testimony today, while Matlala takes the stand from Wednesday to Friday. This comes as the committee nears the end of its witness list but waits for Speaker Thoko Didiza to greenlight more time.
Set up to probe KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s alerts on corruption and meddling in policing and courts, the inquiry has heard from big names already. Open to media, these prison-based hearings could uncover more on tender deals and task team shutdowns, giving South Africans a clearer view of threats to fair justice.
Reasons for the Move to Prison: Prioritising Safety
The committee picked Kgosi Mampuru for its tight security, following a group decision to protect all involved. Matlala, held there on attempted murder charges since abandoning bail in June 2025, is a central figure. His time behind bars at the maximum-security spot made it practical to hold sessions on-site, cutting risks of moving him.
This setup echoes past probes where safety trumped usual spots. Chairperson Soviet Lekganyane noted the choice ensures smooth running without threats. With claims of rogue elements in SAPS, extra caution makes sense to avoid tampering or harm.
The facility, named after a Pedi king hanged in 1883, holds high-profile inmates and offers secure rooms for such events. Hearings start at 11am today, letting media cover without hitches.
Today’s Key Witness: SAPS CFO Puleng Dimpane
Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, SAPS’s top money handler, faces questions today. As Chief Financial Officer, she oversees budgets, tenders, and spending – key to Mkhwanazi’s gripes on graft. The committee wants details on how funds flow in crime intelligence and other units hit by claims.
Dimpane’s role puts her in the hot seat for any odd spends or links to alleged networks. Past audits flagged SAPS for irregular costs over R5 billion in 2024, tying into wider worries. Her input could clarify if money trails back Mkhwanazi’s infiltration alerts.
Matlala’s Testimony: From Wednesday to Friday
Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, a businessman jailed for attempted murder, testifies mid-week. Linked to taxi violence, he allegedly holds info on the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) shutdown and a R360 million health tender to his firm. The PKTT, formed in 2018 to probe political hits in KZN, got disbanded amid claims of interference.
Matlala’s evidence could reveal who pulled strings and why. Preliminary plans set his slot for 26-28 November 2025. As a maximum-security inmate, his words carry weight but also risks – hence the prison venue.
Previous Hearings and Witness Roundup
The committee has wrapped chats with folks like activist Mary de Haas, Cedrick Nkabinde (chief of staff to suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu), and Lieutenant General Fannie Masemola. These built on Mkhwanazi’s July 2025 bombshells of syndicates cosy with cops and courts.
Lekganyane said they have almost finalised witnesses: “We have always exhausted the list of witnesses and we may have to guide the legal team on the key witnesses that have to be consulted in the period between now and probably the thirteenth of December when we will still be waiting for the extension by the office of the Speaker of the National Assembly because so far, we have not received any letter of extension.”
An interim report on 10 November 2025 flagged progress but noted hitches like statement issues. EFF’s Julius Malema has slammed the setup as under-resourced, writing to Didiza on 24 November for more help. He flagged overstretched staff and missing skills, threatening the probe’s fairness.
The Bigger Picture: Mkhwanazi’s Claims and National Security
Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi sparked this in July 2025, warning of criminals pulling strings in crime intelligence, courts, and appointments. His alerts led to Mchunu’s suspension and arrests like Matlala’s. The committee, with 11 MPs including Malema, aims to root out rot for a cleaner system.
Running alongside the Madlanga Commission – a judicial deep-dive ordered by President Cyril Ramaphosa – it feeds into wider anti-graft pushes. South Africa grapples with over 27,000 murders yearly, many tied to syndicates. Fixing infiltration could rebuild trust in SAPS, hit by scandals like the R54 million blue lights tender probe.
Extension Request and Time Pressures
Without extra time, the committee risks rushing. Set to end soon, they need Didiza’s nod to wrap properly. Lekganyane hopes for a go-ahead by mid-December. Malema’s letter echoes this, noting just two junior staff for the evidence leader, leading to slip-ups like poor statements and missing info.
If granted, it could let more witnesses like Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi – accused of power abuse – appear. Malema pushed hard for this, slamming written submissions as weak.
Open to Media: Transparency in Action
Hearings stay public, with media access at Kgosi Mampuru. This lets South Africans follow, building openness. Streams and reports keep the nation in the loop, pressuring for real change.
As sessions run this week, watch for breakthroughs on tenders and task teams. For citizens tired of crime, a strong report could spark reforms, making justice fairer for all.
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