Former Police Minister Bheki Cele is scheduled to testify before the Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) Cases Inquiry in Johannesburg this Tuesday, 14 July 2026. The appearance follows the submission of a formal sworn statement by Cele, who held the police portfolio between 2018 and 2024, regarding allegations of political interference in historical criminal investigations.
Mandate Of The Commission
President Cyril Ramaphosa established the judicial inquiry in May 2025 to determine whether political pressure obstructed the investigation or prosecution of crimes identified during the original TRC process. Chaired by retired Constitutional Court Judge Sisi Khampepe, the commission is assisted by retired Northern Cape Judge President Frans Diale Kgomo and Advocate Andrea Gabriel SC.
Scope Of The Investigation
The inquiry is auditing correspondence and administrative records involving police leadership and former ministers from 2003 to the present day. Following Cele’s testimony, the commission is expected to hear evidence from former police ministers Fikile Mbalula on Wednesday and Nathi Nhleko on Thursday.
The hearings are currently taking place in Newtown, where the focus has shifted specifically to the internal processes and decision-making structures within the South African Police Service. The commission’s term was extended earlier this year and is now set to conclude its work on 18 December 2026.
The commission is expected to provide further clarity on the timeline for its final report following the conclusion of this week’s ministerial testimony.