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President Cyril Ramaphosa has this morning, Friday 7 November 2025, arrived in Rome, Italy for a working visit to the Holy See.

South Africa and the Holy See have cordial bilateral relations and the visit by President Ramaphosa serves  as an opportunity to discuss a renewed focus on collaboration in humanitarian aid, climate justice, emergency response, and peace building.

The Holy See has diplomatic ties with over 180 countries and observer status at major international bodies like the United Nations and holds significant global influence through its moral, religious, and diplomatic authority.

South Africa and the Holy See have a long history of diplomatic relations that was formally established in 1994. South Africa values the warm and respectful relations it has enjoyed with the Holy See over the years.

The meeting with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV is of particular significance as it represents South Africa's first high-level engagement with the newly appointed Pontiff. His ascension to the papacy on 8 May 2025 provides an important opportunity to reaffirm and strengthen bilateral relations with the Holy See.

The South African concept of Ubuntu, which emphasises interconnectedness, shared humanity, and humanity towards others, aligns with the Pope's calls for a more compassionate, loving, peaceful and inclusive global community.

The President is accompanied by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola and daughter, Ms Keneilwe Ramaphosa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

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The Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by the SAPS KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Head, Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has concluded hearing evidence from the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), led by Adv Andrea Johnson.

Adv Johnson's testimony covered issues including alleged corruption in SAPS procurement processes, the role of Crime Intelligence (CI) within the criminal justice system, allegations made by Lt Gen Mkhwanazi against IDAC, the charges against General Dumisani Khumalo, and the referral of cases involving CI officials to IDAC.

Adv Johnson also addressed allegations concerning Mr Brian Padayachee, her husband's employment within CI, and ongoing IDAC investigations into Mr Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

Committee members questioned Adv Johnson about her reference to “insinuations pertaining to the husband of the Head of IDAC working for CI,” a matter first raised during testimony by former Minister of Police, General Bheki Cele. Members further sought clarity on her involvement in the interview panel that appointed her husband.

Adv Johnson said the insinuations were intended to cast doubt on IDAC's integrity in the arrests of General Khumalo and his CI colleagues. She explained that while her husband serves in CI at the rank of Brigadier, they do not discuss work-related matters due to the sensitive nature of their respective roles. Furthermore, she said they always maintained professional boundaries to protect the integrity of their work. However, she acknowledged that, in hindsight, she should have recused herself completely from her husband's interview process.

Committee members also questioned Adv Johnson extensively about the arrests of General Khumalo and other CI officials. She rejected General Mkhwanazi's claim that IDAC's actions were intended to disrupt the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), noting that IDAC only became aware of General Khumalo's role as PKTT coordinator on 6 July 2025.

Adv Johnson said cases referred by Mr Adams revealed how the Head of CI and senior managers allegedly manipulated systems for private gain. She said evidence shows that General Khumalo and his co-accused strategically placed individuals within CI to unlawfully access funding. Their token appointments did not prevent these acts, as IDAC found when reviewing the matter holistically.

It was reported that Mr Adams possessed classified information, and the circumstances under which he obtained this information were not explained. The committee further noted that it had not received all relevant documents related to these investigations and requested that the outstanding information be submitted as soon as possible.

On the investigation into Mr Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, Adv Johnson told the committee that IDAC received a referral from SAPS on 16 February 2025 to probe alleged corruption in a SAPS tender awarded to Mr Matlala. She added that General Mkhwanazi's public claims had compromised the confidentiality of this ongoing investigation. She said the 6 July 2025 media exposé has forced IDAC to make certain disclosures despite the potential risks to the investigation.

Committee members further engaged Adv Johnson on the absence of an oversight mechanism for IDAC's operations. She informed to the committee that President Cyril Ramaphosa had appointed retired Judge Takalani Joseph Raulinga as IDAC Inspecting Judge on 11 October 2025 for a five-year term.

The committee will reconvene on Tuesday, 11 November 2025, to hear evidence from the Head of the National Prosecuting Authority, Adv Shamila Batohi.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE INVESTIGATING ALLEGATIONS MADE BY THE SAPS KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCIAL HEAD, LT GEN NHLANHLA MKHWANAZI, HON MOLAPI SOVIET LEKGANYANE

For media inquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee's Media Officer:

Name: Malentsoe Magwagwa (Ms)
Cell: 081 716 5824
E-mail: mmagwagwa@parliament.gov.za

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

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The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation has expressed its grave concern over the nonattendance of His Excellency Ambassador Stone Sizani with no apology to the committee's oversight session in Brussels, where the committee engaged with European High Commissions during its unprecedented week-long oversight mission in the Europe region.

The committee considers this a missed opportunity for Ambassador Sizani to engage constructively with Parliament and to provide an account of how his work in Germany contributes to advancing South Africa's foreign policy objectives, particularly in addressing the country's pressing socio-economic challenges and promoting redress.

This is not the first instance where the committee has experienced limited cooperation from Ambassador Sizani. During its oversight visit to Germany in October 2023, the committee sought to assess two vacant state-owned properties in Bonn. Despite the significance of this engagement, the Ambassador did not attend, without tendering a formal apology to the committee for his absence.

The committee remains dedicated to fulfilling its constitutional role of oversight and ensuring accountability in the implementation of South Africa's foreign policy. In light of these developments, the committee has resolved to formally report its concerns to the Speaker of the National Assembly.

Furthermore, the committee will also recommend that the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation initiate an investigation into the matter and consider appropriate measures. In addition, the committee will engage with the Presidency to express its view that the conduct observed does not meet the standards expected of a representative of South Africa's national interests abroad.

The committee continues to uphold the principles of transparency, accountability and mutual respect in its engagements with all Missions and looks forward to future interactions that reflect these shared values.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.