A parliamentary inquiry into police corruption was thrown into chaos today, Thursday following the testimony of Cedrick Nkabinde, chief of staff to suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
Nkabinde’s testimony before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee, which is investigating allegations of criminal infiltration and political interference in the justice system, was abruptly cut short after major contradictions were identified.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) immediately responded, opening a perjury case against Nkabinde, accusing him of deliberately misleading Parliament.
Nkabinde’s interactions with controversial businessman Brown Mokgotsi and the dates he provided under oath. Nkabinde claimed he obtained Mokgotsi’s contact details in November 2024, yet evidence presented to the committee suggested he had the information as early as September 2024.
When pressed for clarity, Nkabinde admitted he could not confirm exact dates due to his official devices being confiscated for over a month, a move Chairperson Soviet Lekganyane described as “inexcusable.” Lekganyane further criticized Nkabinde for presenting “two sets of lies lies in writing and lies orally” emphasizing that, as chief of staff, he had access to ministerial diaries and weekly schedules to verify information.
Following the adjournment, EFF Deputy Secretary-General Leigh-Ann Mathys led officials to Cape Town central police station to lodge the perjury case. The party condemned Nkabinde’s conduct, calling it a “calculated attempt to undermine Parliament’s authority and shield individuals implicated in wrongdoing.”
Nkabinde has been given a 10-day deadline to review and amend his written submission before being recalled to the committee. The inquiry, which faces a November 28 deadline, is under intense pressure as several key witnesses have yet to testify.
The Ad Hoc Committee was established after explosive claims by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi about a criminal syndicate, the “Big Five,” allegedly infiltrating law enforcement. Thursday’s events mark a significant escalation in what has already been a high-stakes investigation.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
