Former acting police commissioner Phahlane to face Ad Hoc Committee

Former acting police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane will be the first witness to face Parliament's ad hoc committee in the new year when he gives evidence on Wednesday.

Phahlane can expect to be grilled by the ad hoc committee investigating police corruption over decisions taken during his tenure as the country's top cop between 2015 and 2017 before he was suspended.

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The ad hoc committee resumes its hearings after a lengthy recess, following the explosive testimony of businessman and attempted murder accused Vusimizi 'Cat' Matlala in November.

Phahlane served from October 2015 until his suspension in June 2017.

While his role in the highest levels of the police ended nine years ago, he still remains a central figure in high-profile investigations that involve police corruption as well as political interference.

His testimony will centre around claims that there was an agenda to remove him and interference in investigations involving police watchdog, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).

Phahlane is no stranger to controversy and was dismissed from the police in August 2020 due to a 2014 contract for the purchase of panoramic cameras during his tenure as the police's head of forensics.

In 2025, Phahlane returned to the labour appeal court in a bid to declare his dismissal from the South African Police Service (SAPS) unfair.

Phahlane's testimony will be followed by the testimony of Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo on Thursday.