The Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate Allegations made by the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi engaged with Deputy Minister of Police Hon Cassel Mathale.
Tuesday saw evidence leader Adv Norman Arendse leading evidence as to what Hon Mathale would have said in his sworn statement to the committee. The afternoon and evening were spent with committee members engaging on the evidence before it.
The committee heard that Hon Mathale had not been informed or consulted about the directive to disband the political killings task team (PKTT) prior to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu issuing the note with his intention. He told the committee that he was concerned about the part specifying “immediately” with reference to the closure. He could not dispute the effectiveness of the task team; however he supported the winding down of the PKTT to ensure police resources were evenly deployed to investigate serious crime like murder and robbery.
Committee members raised concern that about one year into his tenure in the 7th administration, the two deputy ministers of police have not been given delegated responsibilities. He explained that Minister Mchunu was still learning the environment before assigning tasks and responsibilities to his deputies.
Hon Mathale rejected earlier evidence that most officials of the ministry or department would have engaged with or had contact with murder accused Mr Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala or known criminals. He indicated that he does not have any contact number for such individuals as he was deployed to a ministry whose mandate is to fight crime. It would therefore not be appropriate to engage on a social level with questionable individuals.
The committee’s oral hearings will continue on Tuesday, 4 November 2025, with the other Deputy Police Minister, Dr Polly Boshielo. The Ad Hoc Committee, established in terms of National Assembly Rule 253, was formed to investigate allegations made by Lt Gen Mkhwanazi. The committee has until 28 November 2025 to complete its mandate. Documents for the committee can be found on: https://www.parliament.gov.za/ad-hoc-committee-gen-mkhwanazis-allegations
Africa Fact: Toilets and sewerage systems existed in ancient Egypt. One of the pharaohs built a city now known as Amarna. An American urban planner noted that: “Great importance was attached to cleanliness in Amarna as in other Egyptian cities. Toilets and sewers were in use to dispose waste. Soap was made for washing the body. Perfumes and essences were popular against body odour. A solution of natron was used to keep insects from houses . . . Amarna may have been the first planned ‘garden city’.”
Mr. Lucky
Interview with a pirate:
There was a pirate who had agreed to do an interview with a local tv station. The reporter was very courteous and professional, giving a bit of background as to the pirate\’s business. She then began interviewing him.
\”So Mr. Longbeard, are there any risks to your business? I see you have a peg leg- how did that come about?\”
\”Well, y\’see I were sailing along the coast of South Africa, looking to plunder some locals when as I boarded the small boat from the ship, a great white shark came up and got my leg clean off. \’twas scary yes, but thus is the life of a pirate.\”
\”Wow, that is pretty scary- well, how about your hook? What happened to your hand with that?\”
\”Oh now that\’s quite the tale, y\’see I were fighting a rival pirate, and we had locked swords. We had been fighting for a few hours, and were both terribly fatigued. I had a bit of exhaustion and confusion, and when I went to block one of his sword blows, I met him with me hand instead of me sword. Took it right off, but it shocked him so much I managed to get him back pretty good and have him submit. So the hook hand was given as a replacement.\”
\”Wow. Simply fascinating. Now, what about your eye patch? How did that happen?\”
\”Well, one day, a seagull was flying overhead, and I looked up. It pooped right in me eye.\”
\”… Well wow. I must admit, I wouldn\’t think just seagull poop could damage the eye that badly.\”
\”Oh, I forgot to mention… it were me first day with the hook.\”
High Kingdom Warrior
One day we will all be writing like this.