POLICE AD HOC COMMITTEE: ‘ False testimony’ — General Khomotso Phahlane’s tall story about journalist Marianne Thamm

On 14 January 2026, before the Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate Allegations made by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, former acting police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane testified that Daily Maverick journalist Marianne Thamm had once attended a braai at Paul O’Sullivan’s house – the implied purpose of the gathering was, allegedly, to orchestrate a smear campaign. Daily Maverick’s lawyers have written to the chairperson of the committee to set the record straight.