The Ad Hoc Committee agreed on Friday that the report, which will contain draft findings, recommendations, and aspects of evidence - be circulated to enable MPs to go through it before it was considered by the committee at a formal meeting.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers
Members of Parliament serving on the Ad Hoc Committee probing the allegations by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi have been urged not to leak the draft report to be distributed to them not later than Monday.
This comes after the committee agreed on Friday that the report, which will contain draft findings, recommendations, and aspects of evidence, would be circulated to enable MPs to go through it before it was considered by the committee at a formal meeting.
The report will be circulated even though the overview report of evidence by evidence leaders is pending until next Friday.
Committee Chairperson, Soviet Lekganyane, said the report will shape their work and show their readiness as they move towards concluding their mandate.
“The draft that will be circulated is the draft final report that will come to the committee to consider and say this is the report we are to present before Parliament,” Lekganyane said.
However, EFF MP Leigh-Ann Mathys flagged the possible leak of the report before it was considered by the committee.
“We don't want things on social media and it being misconstrued as a final report. If we can practice maximum discipline as members of the committee,” said Mathys.
Lekganyane expressed concern that it would be unimaginable for the report to leak before discussion.
“And I am worried whether we should allow the release this coming week before we receive the report of the evidence leaders,” he said.
While Lekganyane noted that there had not been leaks on other drafts related to other committees' reports, he stated that the draft would provide suggestions about their observations and recommendations on the criminal justice system.
“If it leaks, we shall have moved the cart before the horse.”
But after some discussion, it was agreed that the report be circulated in principle and the caution about the leaks was welcomed.
“I was concerned about the fact that the report may leak. If members feel the report can be released between now and Monday, I am obedient and subordinate myself to the decisions of the committee,” said Lekganyane.
Earlier, evidence leader Advocate Norman Arendse said substantial work has been done on their overview report on evidence.
“We look to finalise by this coming Friday in view of the extended deadline to June 12,” Arendse said.
“We propose that if we submit our draft by not later than Friday, it will be May 22, the committee can work to consider its own inputs and reconvene to discuss issues arising and consideration of the draft report on May 29,” he added.
The committee was granted an extension until June 12 after it could not conclude its work by the end of April.
At the meeting, the committee agreed that it will view the classified report of the Inspector-General of Intelligence on the purchasing of Crime Intelligence properties and vetting of certain top police officials.
The report has been sent to the Standing Committee on Intelligence in line with parliamentary protocols in handling classified and confidential information.
Various witnesses had made references to the report when they testified before the committee during the public hearings.
“We must follow the protocol with the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence,” said Lekganyane after parliamentary legal adviser Andile Tetyana outlined the process to be followed in viewing the classified report.
“We will write to them, and as custodian of protocol, they must make sure that the committee is compliant,” he added.