Deputy Police Minister Mathale set to appear before Parly ad hoc committee probing police corruption

Day thirteen of Parliament’s ad hoc committee hearings into police corruption continues on Tuesday, with Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale on the hot seat.

Mathale, who is one of two deputies, was appointed in July last year at the same time as Minister Senzo Mchunu, who is on leave of absence over allegations of political interference.

Mchunu has already appeared before the committee, where his decision to disband the political killings task team through a policy directive came under scrutiny.

While Mchunu’s deputy, Mathale, hardly got a mention during the hearings, he will be grilled over two days by evidence leader Advocate Norman Arendse and members.

Members of the committee are expected to question Mathale about his knowledge of the directive to disband the political killings task team and his working relationship with Mchunu.

Members will also try to corroborate submissions already made by National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola and Mchunu.

Former police minister, Bheki Cele, was the last witness to give evidence on Friday where he responded frankly to MPs on why Mchunu’s directive to disband the task team was incorrect.

He said the committee, led by ministers, was the only structure able to disband the task team since it was established by the same committee.

Mathale will also likely face questions around the task team and whether he knows any of the individuals implicated in police corruption.

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia is expected to take the stand after Mathale and Mchunu's second deputy, Polly Boshielo.