Parliamentary Committee seeks extension in police corruption probe

Members of Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee probing police corruption want another extension of its proceedings, while accusing certain witnesses of playing delaying tactics.

The calls are to extend the committee’s lifespan beyond next week Friday—the current deadline—to early March so it can make up for lost time due to the State of the Nation Address on Thursday and the budget speech next week.

The committee made the decision when it met on Monday to discuss housekeeping matters as it prepares to call in more witnesses.

The Ad Hoc Committee is supposed to conclude its hearings next Friday, after being granted what was supposed to be a final extension.

Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) leader Julius Malema pushed for the extension due to delays by some witnesses.

"I wanted to come to the issue of requesting for an extension for this committee because, as things unfold, it’s very clear that there are critical people that we need in this committee, and because they can see the lifespan of this committee is coming to an end, they’re playing delaying tactics," Malema said.

Committee Chairperson, Soviet Lekganyane, says the committee needs an extension because it can only meet twice this week and will have to also make way for the State of the Nation Address (SONA) debate next week.

"Overwhelmingly, there is an agreement that there should be an extension, which we will write to the Office of the Speaker for request for an extension," said Lekganyane.

The committee will now await a decision by the Speaker before the National Assembly adopts a report granting the extension.