For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Halima Frost.

Making headlines: DA slams delays in Parliament’s Saps corruption committee; Parliamentary committees to meet with Ministers over Maphwanya’s comments in Iran; And, Dion George hails dismantling of major rhino horn syndicate

DA slams delays in Parliament’s Saps corruption committee

The Democratic Alliance said it was concerned about ongoing delays in finalising the terms of reference for Parliament’s ad hoc committee into the allegations raised by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Parliament established the committee after Mkhwanazi claimed corruption, political interference and malfeasance within the South African Police Service.

In June, Mkhwanazi accused Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of unilaterally disbanding the Political Killings Task Team and redirecting 121 active investigation dockets to the Office of National Deputy Commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, where they have allegedly been neutralised.

The committee held its first meeting earlier this month, where it agreed that the draft terms of reference guiding its work should be finalised by August 8.

DA spokesperson on Police Ian Cameron pointed to a time crunch for Parliament, saying the longer Parliament delayed, the more justice was denied to victims of crime and the communities living under the weight of “Saps capture”.

Parliamentary committees to meet with Ministers over Maphwanya’s comments in Iran

The Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans and the Portfolio Committee on International Relations will hold a meeting with the Ministers of the associated departments on the recent remarks made by South African National Defence Force Chief General Rudzani Maphwanya during his visit to Iran.

Maphwanya was quoted by Iranian State media pledging “common goals” with Iran, endorsing its stance on Gaza, and calling for deeper strategic alignment.

Political parties have since called for disciplinary action to be taken against him, with the Democratic Alliance calling for him to be court-martialled for what the party says is gross misconduct and a breach of the SANDF code of conduct.

Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans chairperson Dakota Legoete and Portfolio Committee on International Relations chairperson Supra Mahumapelo expressed concerns over Maphwanya’s comments, as well as a lack of coordination between defence diplomacy and South Africa’s official foreign policy.

And, Dion George hails dismantling of major rhino horn syndicate

Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Minister Dr Dion George has welcomed the arrests of suspects linked to an international rhino horn syndicate, describing it as a decisive victory in the country’s fight against international wildlife crime.

Following a seven-year investigation, the Wildlife Trafficking Section of the Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit dismantled a major transnational rhino horn trafficking network.

The syndicate is linked to a fraudulent scheme involving 964 rhino horns, worth millions of rands, destined for illegal markets in Southeast Asia.

Six suspects, between the ages of 49 and 84, face charges of fraud, theft, and contravention of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, with charges of racketeering and money laundering also under consideration.

The suspects surrendered to the Hawks at the Sunnyside Police Station, in Pretoria, and appeared before the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court today.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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