The chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to outline a process to investigate the explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, to restore the credibility of the South African Police Service (Saps).

During a media briefing over the weekend, Mkhwanazi made allegations of corruption, political interference, and malfeasance, specifically accusing 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.

Chairperson of the portfolio committee Ian Cameron viewed these allegations as serious, noting that they required urgent attention from the President.

“The allegations, if correct, have far-reaching implications on the effectiveness of the South African Police Service and require immediate attention. The chairperson highlighted that the allegations are noteworthy because they have been made by such a senior-ranking officer within the Saps,” he said.

Ramaphosa has said the matter is of “grave national security concern” and that it 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,” he said.

He called for discipline and restraint among those involved, pointing out that trading accusations and counter-accusations threatened to undermine public confidence and sow confusion.

Furthermore, he said these actions damaged the unity and focus of the police.

Ramaphosa 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.

Cameron said the committee had long highlighted concerns over the “rot” within the Saps, which he said had impacted the police’s ability to investigate crime and improve crime statistics.

He said the allegations were also worrying because it showed 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,” Cameron warned.

The committee said it would meet to decide on the best process to investigate 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 GOOD Party said South Africa did not have the luxury of time for another “drawn-out” commission of inquiry.

GOOD secretary-general Brett Herron said the allegations demanded independent investigation by senior officials within the Saps and National Prosecuting Authority, highlighting the protection of the Commissioner as a whistleblower.

Th party said South Africans already had little confidence in the police and growing scepticism towards prosecutors and the courts, and added that these new allegations confirmed the veracity of that bias.

“Nearly two decades after the end of apartheid, the President has finally established a commission of inquiry into allegations of political interference in prosecutorial decisions related to apartheid-era crimes. This is ostensibly because prosecuting decisions should not be decided with political influence or political interference,” said Herron, adding that the same principle must apply to police work.

Allegations of criminal offences and criminal investigations by police officers, including special task teams, should be free from influence and interference from the political executive, he stated and urged Ramaphosa to act decisively and urgently to restore confidence in the country’s justice system.

“…his response must be beyond reproach and meet the highest standard of public legitimacy and credibility.”

PARLIAMENTARY INTERVENTION

The Democratic Alliance (DA) and ActionSA have written to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza, calling for an urgent debate in Parliament on corruption within the Saps.

Cameron said violent crime could only be combatted with robust integrity management inside and out of the Saps.

ActionSA Member of Parliament Dereleen James said Mkhwanazi’s allegations are an alarming indictment of South Africa’s security system.

“Mkhwanazi’s remarks are a clear indication that the situation has reached breaking point. Parliament must therefore intervene without delay, as responsibility cannot rest solely with the Minister of Police or the President, who have presided over the escalation and deepening of this crisis,” said James.

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) wants Ramaphosa to immediately appoint an Independent Commission of Inquiry, chaired by a retired judge, to investigate the allegations, noting that the Saps ecosystem cannot self-investigate as it is the subject of both the allegations and includes alleged role-players.

The party questioned Saps’s integrity, describing it as “compromised”, stating that the country had “every reason to be worried”, and to demand answers.

IFP national spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said given the concise nature of the allegations, an Independent Commission of Inquiry should be given 60 days to perform its work and present its findings and recommendations.

The IFP further called for Mchunu to be placed on special leave until the Inquiry had concluded its work and presented its findings.

“During this period Minister Mchunu should subject himself to the due investigative processes of the Commission. We call on President Ramaphosa to act on our proposal with urgency, for the sake of national interest and national security,” the party said.