By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
7 July 2025- The Portfolio Committee on Police said it has has noted the explosive allegations made by the KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, during a media briefing on Sunday. The committee said is of the view that the allegations are serious and require urgent attention from the Head of State.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Ian Cameron said the allegations, if correct, have far-reaching implications on the effectiveness of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and require immediate attention. Cameron further said the committee has long highlighted concerns over the rot within the SAPS, which impacts its ability to investigate acts of crime and bring the worrying crime statistics down.
“The allegations are noteworthy because they have been made by such a senior-ranking officer within the SAPS. During the media briefing held on 21 January 2025, I highlighted concerns over the lack of detail in the directive to close the Political Killings Task Team and the moratorium on the filling of vacancies within the Crime Intelligence (CI) environment, especially in the context of the centrality of CI in proactive crime prevention.
“The allegations are also worrying because they lay bare the strained working relationship among senior officers within the SAPS. If those saddled with the responsibility to drive strategies to combat crime are not working in tandem, then the entire organisation will not achieve shared goals,” he said.
Cameron said the President, Cyril Ramaphosa needs to lead by outlining a process to investigate the allegations and restore the credibility of the SAPS. He said the committee will meet to decide on the best process to look into the allegations and ensure accountability.
“This might include calling an urgent meeting with all relevant stakeholders to account for the allegations. What is clear is that Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi has taken great personal risk to make these allegations and the committee, Parliament, and the people in general must demand answers,” said Cameron.
Meanwhile, the Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement that, he has noted statements made in a media briefing by SAPS KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Ramaphosa said this is a matter of grave national security concern that is receiving the highest priority attention.
“It is vital that the integrity of the country’s security services is safeguarded and that the rule of law is affirmed. All parties to this matter are called upon to exercise discipline and restraint.
“The trading of accusations and counter-accusations threatens to undermine public confidence and sow confusion. Furthermore, these actions damage the unity and focus of the police,” he said.
Ramaphosa said he will outline the actions to be taken on this matter on his return from the BRICS Leaders’ Summit currently underway in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Guardian 