Parliament has formally endorsed the creation of an ad hoc committee to probe explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, following unanimous support from political parties during Wednesday night’s sitting of the National Assembly.
The adopted report of the joint portfolio committees on police and justice and constitutional development proposes a focused parliamentary inquiry into claims that link senior law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and even MPs to organised criminal activity.
Among the most serious allegations is that police minister Senzo Mchunu is directly associated with criminal gangs — a matter that has already prompted his administrative leave and a formal response submitted to the registrar for ethics and members’ interests.
MK party’s Sibonelo Nomvalo said his party supported the inquiry, insisting Mkhwanazi should appear before parliament to name those implicated. “Our clarion call is that Mkhwanazi must appear before the ad hoc committee and expose all police officers, prosecutors, judges, MPs and department officials who are in cahoots with criminals,” he said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has concurrently established a wide-reaching inquiry led by acting deputy chief justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, encompassing the judiciary, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), intelligence services and metropolitan police departments in Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni. Mineral resources minister Gwede Mantashe will serve as caretaker police minister until Firoz Cachalia assumes the portfolio in August.
The National Assembly’s ad hoc committee will begin its work within the parameters of a 90-day deadline, with the option to extend if necessary. Its scope will include examining whether Mchunu unlawfully disbanded the political killings task team and removed more than 100 case dockets, imposed a hiring freeze on SAPS Crime Intelligence, misled parliament about his relationship with Brown Mogotsi — one of the people implicated — and oversaw a potentially irregular R360m contract awarded to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala’s company.
Concerns have also been raised regarding possible interference by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption in SAPS operations, and whether overlapping processes with the joint standing committee on intelligence may result in conflicting findings.
Police committee chairperson Ian Cameron called for swift intervention, stressing that the seriousness of the allegations demanded a process marked by urgency and transparency. “SA is a country currently facing an enormous crime challenge. The process must embody the appetite for action,” Cameron told the house.
Parliament’s spokesperson Moloto Mothapo confirmed that the committee would be appropriately resourced, supported by external forensic and legal experts, and prioritise the protection of whistle-blowers and public access.
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