Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating allegations of corruption, political interference and malfeasance in the South African Police Service (Saps) clarified on Thursday that no final decision has been made regarding the list of witnesses to appear before the committee, after National Deputy Commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya announced that he will appear before the committee next week.

The committee investigating the allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said it had only approached potential witnesses to check availability and ensure they have access to legal counsel if needed.

Committee chairperson Molapi Lekganyane said the decision on the witness list would be made collectively by the full committee.

Last month, the committee announced that Mkhwanazi would be the first person to appear before it, since his public statements prompted the formation of the committee.

“While Lieutenant-General Sibiya's expressed willingness to testify is appreciated, his public comments are premature,” said Lekganyane.

Lekganyane reaffirmed the committee's commitment to begin hearings but stressed the importance of finalising all foundational and procedural preparations.

A meeting will be held on Friday to finalise these arrangements.

Meanwhile, ActionSA expressed outrage that members of the ad hoc committee learnt through media reports that witnesses had been “improperly” called to appear before the committee.

The party said it rejected any attempt by the chairperson to independently engage with witnesses and arrange appearances without prior deliberation by the committee.

“… we believe this is procedurally defective, ultra vires the adopted terms of reference, and inconsistent with the principles underpinning the committee’s mandate as defined therein,” said ActionSA Member of Parliament Dereleen James.

She reiterated ActionSA’s objection to a committee chairperson belonging to the same political party as those implicated in the allegations.

“Our concern has always been that this creates a fertile environment for abuse, where chairs steamroll committees and undermine their mandate of oversight. What has unfolded today confirms the dangers we warned against and cannot be condoned,” she highlighted.