Will Ramaphosa Finally Answer the Mkhwanazi Report Questions?
CAPE TOWN – President Cyril Ramaphosa returns to the National Assembly on Tuesday for questions from MPs at a time when Parliament is dealing with municipal failures, South Africa’s international standing and the continuing fallout from allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Ramaphosa is scheduled to appear before the National Assembly at 2pm on Tuesday for questions for oral reply. Among the issues expected to come under scrutiny are government’s efforts to rebuild South Africa’s credibility as a Pan-African voice amid protests against foreign nationals, as well as structural reforms intended to improve municipal capacity, accountability and the delivery of basic services.
His appearance comes as Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee established to investigate allegations made by Mkhwanazi enters another important stage of its work. The committee is scheduled to meet on Monday evening and again on Thursday to consider its draft report after Speaker of the National Assembly Thoko Didiza extended its reporting deadline to 11 September.
The committee has become one of Parliament’s most closely watched processes following Mkhwanazi’s allegations concerning political interference and problems within the criminal justice system. Its draft report and eventual findings are therefore likely to attract significant attention as Parliament determines how to respond to the evidence placed before it.
Ramaphosa’s appearance will form part of a busy parliamentary week involving 37 committee meetings between Monday and Friday. The National Council of Provinces will also hold several question-and-answer sessions, with ministers in the Peace and Security Cluster expected to face scrutiny over Truth and Reconciliation Commission reparations, overcrowding in correctional facilities, cellphone smuggling, the justice department’s case-management system and the deployment of soldiers to support police operations against illegal mining.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola is expected to answer questions about developments affecting South Africa internationally, including tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, anti-immigration protests and illegal immigration.
Other parliamentary committees will consider issues ranging from foot-and-mouth disease control and immigration backlogs to municipal audit outcomes, state property recovery, military deployments, Parliament’s funding and matters surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The parliamentary programme carries additional significance because both Houses are approaching constituency periods. The National Assembly’s constituency period begins on 31 August and runs until 21 September, while the NCOP will remain in its constituency period until 5 October.
With the Mkhwanazi committee approaching its reporting deadline and pressure continuing over failing municipalities and South Africa’s position on major international developments, Tuesday’s appearance gives MPs another opportunity to put some of those questions directly to the President.
Anyone with additional information relating to matters before Parliament, the Mkhwanazi Ad Hoc Committee or issues raised in Tuesday’s presidential question session can contact TownPress at press@townpress.co.za.