‘Wrapping up’ Khosa probe

MINISTER of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, has promised the investigation into the death of Alexandra resident Collins Khosa by the army will be wrapped up soon and the report made public over the next few weeks.

Mapisa-Nqakula called on MPs yesterday to wait for the outcome of the investigation before reaching any conclusions.

Khosa was allegedly killed at his home during the first days of the lockdown when the army was deployed to assist the police.

The minister, who was answering questions in the security cluster yesterday, said the army would have to act on the recommendations of the investigation.

“I will plead with all of us that we don’t get into the merits of the case. We were directed by the court in addition to issuing directives to the defence force to suspend anyone implicated. I would plead with anyone to wait for the investigation,” said Mapisa-Nqakula.

“I am making an appeal that this matter is not closed. It is a matter investigated by different entities.”

The Khosa case was investigated by the military ombud, police and SA National Defence Force and the board of inquiry.

In another Q&A session, Justice Minister Ronald Lamola said Cabinet would soon table laws in Parliament to clamp down on gender-based violence (GBV).

There has been a sharp increase in GBV cases in the last few months. Lamola said his department would be introducing bills in the next cycle of Cabinet meetings.

Lamola also assured National Council of Provinces members that his ministry would not release inmates with gender-based violence convictions on special parole. This after 19 000 inmates were freed to ease pressures on prisons due to the pandemic.