By: Pamella Majola
Suspended Sedibeng deputy district police commissioner Abraham Nkhwashu has told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that he attended gatherings at a venue colloquially referred to as “The White House”, which has been identified as the Northcliff Boutique Hotel in Johannesburg.
Nkhwashu said he became aware of allegations linking the venue to corruption only through media reports. He maintains that his visits to the establishment were both social and work-related, and were not connected to any unlawful activity.
According to his testimony, the gatherings were attended by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and were intended to foster collegiality and strengthen working relationships outside formal office hours. He described the events as informal networking opportunities where officers could engage in discussions about operational challenges in a relaxed environment.
The Madlanga Commission is currently probing allegations of impropriety and potential corruption linked to certain SAPS officials and their associations with private venues. Evidence before the commission has raised questions about the nature of interactions that took place at the Northcliff Boutique Hotel, including whether any undue influence or benefits were exchanged.
Nkhwashu told the commission that he did not witness any criminal conduct during his visits and rejected any suggestion that the gatherings were used as a platform for corrupt activities. He further stated that, to his knowledge, attendance at the venue was not formally sanctioned but also not prohibited within SAPS structures.
The commission is expected to continue hearing testimony from other witnesses as it seeks to establish the full extent of the relationship between police officials and the venue, as well as whether any breaches of ethics or the law occurred.
