Public sentiment around the Ad Hoc Committee has changed drastically, says DA's Ian Cameron

The Democratic Alliance’s Ian Cameron has said that he hopes that the findings of the Parliament Ad Hoc Committee will result in immediate action, whether it be criminal law-related or policy-related.

Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by SAPS KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, saw the conclusion of the public participation with the testimony of witnesses, Col Darius Ramolobe, Capt Edwin Malatjie and Capt Samuel Ramalepe on Wednesday.

Speaking on the sidelines of the committee hearings, Cameron said that the public participation process, as well as the presentations from NGOs that have come to testify, have been quite turbulent.

“Most of them were just meant to come and present their submissions, and questions of clarity were meant to be asked. Then suddenly, we saw that some of them were being sworn in as witnesses, which, in my opinion, didn't really make sense, to be honest.

“I think it's very important that this public participation process be done in an orderly and disciplined way and that we, that we finish strong,” Cameron said.

“We can already see public sentiment around the Ad Hoc Committee has changed drastically, and there's a perception that it's just become a bit of a mud-throwing contest. It is important that we, as a committee, protect the integrity of Parliament, and that Parliament can do what it is mandated to do.

“I hope this process will be done timeously and that we can, we can start with the report writing,” he said.

In terms of what he hopes results from the Ad Hoc Committee’s outcomes, Cameron said that, given how he is involved with the Parliament police committee as its chairperson, he is conflicted.

“We would like to see that the recommendations that we make in terms of doing adequate oversight with the police committee actually see results, because many of the things that have been mentioned, we have followed up on, and we have invited them (SAPS) to answer to. A lot of the allegations that were made (before the committee) were previously discussed.

“Let's take, for example, supply chain management and SAPS. We have questioned that. We have spent time with the auditor-general, but unfortunately, our power to enforce only goes so far,” Cameron said.

“I think it's important, and I'm hoping that there'll be some kind of scope for us to improve that, and to see better results. Obviously, we would like to see the results of the allegations that were made. A proper investigation (still) needs to be done.

“I'm hoping that with the findings of the committee, in terms of both immediate action, whether it's criminal law related or policy related, that we actually get moving,” he said.

“Remember that the findings of this report by the Ad Hoc Committee will be referred to the National Assembly, and then to the relevant portfolio committees, will need to ensure that those findings are enforced and followed up.”

theolin.tembo@inl.co.za