By BAKANG MOKOTO
14 October 2025- The Congress of the People (COPE) said it strongly supports the revelations by the KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on how SAPS Crime Intelligence was abused for political ends. COPE said these disclosures vindicate its long-standing concerns about the African National Congress (ANC)’s misuse of state resources to undermine political opponents.
COPE’s acting National Chairperson, Pakes Dikgetsi said they categorically deny any involvement in recruiting police officers into their party ranks. Dikgetsi said COPE was never engaged in any systematic or authorised effort to politicise the South African Police Service (SAPS).
“If any isolated incident occurred where individuals associated with COPE interacted with police personnel, it was unauthorised, contrary to our ethos, and does not reflect the party’s official stance or actions.
“COPE has always championed accountability, transparency, and institutional integrity—values that stand in stark opposition to the politicisation of state organs. Founded in 2008 amid the erosion of principles of democracy and constitutionalism post-Polokwane, COPE emerged to defend the Constitution and uphold the rule of law,” he said.
Dikgetsi further said their record is clear. He added that they vehemently opposed the disbandment of the Scorpions, fought against Jacob Zuma’s state capture, and consistently advocated for independent law enforcement.
“To the contrary, COPE itself became a victim of sinister infiltration and sabotage by rogue elements within SAPS Crime Intelligence. It was Jacob Zuma and Nathi Mthethwa who initiated the capture and abuse of SAPS Intelligence to fight COPE, viewing it as a significant threat to their power. Under then-Minister Nathi Mthethwa, these elements were deployed to sow discord, spy on our members, and dismantle our party.
“Julius Malema has confirmed that when COPE posed a threat to the ANC’s tyranny, they established a war room at Luthuli House and enlisted rogue elements in SAPS Crime Intelligence to target political opponents using state resources,” said Dikgetsi.
He said this pattern of state capture undermines democracy and misuses intelligence services against rivals. Dikgetsi said COPE calls for a full, independent investigation into these abuses to ensure justice and prevent recurrence.
“We remain committed to depoliticised, professional SAPS serving all South Africans,” he said.
The Guardian 