Overview
- Former acting national commissioner Khomotso Phahlane told the ad hoc committee he was targeted by a smear campaign and denied corruption allegations tied to procurement cases.
- He argued his 2017 removal was unlawfully initiated by then police minister Fikile Mbalula rather than the president and said his Labour Appeal Court challenge to his 2020 dismissal is pending.
- Phahlane said political interference in the South African Police Service intensified after the ANC’s 2007 Polokwane conference and asked MPs to limit his questioning, with a return appearance likely.
- Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo testified that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s directive halting appointments and disbanding the Political Killings Task Team left critical posts vacant and strained operations.
- The committee is managing security and virtual testimony requests, including from Paul O’Sullivan, and plans to finish evidence by early February ahead of a 20 February report deadline.