By REGINALD KANYANE
7 July 2025- The South African Union Council of Independent Churches (SAUCIC) on Monday appealed for calm as it reflected on the damning interference allegations levelled by the Kwazulu Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi against Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, the National Deputy Commissioner for Crime Intelligence, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, the National Prosecution Agency (NPA), Members of Parliament (MPs) and other officials.
SANCIC has expressed confidence that the Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa will immediately on his return from the BRICS Summit in Brazil, expedite the establishment of an independent judicial body to speedily investigate the allegations.
SAUCIC President Cardinal Archbishop Dr Modiri Patrick Shole said, while they respect and appreciate the work that Mkhwanazi has been doing to combat violent crime in KwaZulu-Natal, they are convinced that he should have followed prescribed South African Police Service (SAPS) processes, protocols and procedures laid down in the Criminal Procedure Act, as well adhered to the SAPS Code of Conduct in dealing with the issues at hand. Shole further pointed out that the ‘court of public opinion’ that Mkhwanazi chose, undermined fundamental principles that underpin the rule of law such as the right of accused persons to be assumed innocent until proven guilty in a properly constituted court of law.
“The court of public opinion is like a kangaroo court, which does not afford the accused persons the dignity as well as their right to adequately respond to allegations levelled against them in the spirit of Audi alterum partem.
“Whatever provincial dynamics should not supersede accountability nor compromise law enforcement that must guarantee the safety and protection of citizens. This is not a moment for populism, cheap politicking and grandstanding,” he said.
Shole added that escalating this issue to Parliament will not serve the course of justice, but simply provide political parties with yet another item to jostle for relevance in order to play to the public gallery while matters of national security are at stake. He said whatever preliminary investigation to be instituted should not exceed a month.
“The country cannot afford to be destabilised by those who wish to plunge it into chaos for the benefit of criminal syndicates and political opportunists that are working tirelessly to spark civil unrest for another July insurrection,” Shole underscored.
The Guardian 