Parliament has moved swiftly to respond to serious allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal’s police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Parliament fast-tracks probe into Mkhwanazi’s explosive claims
The claims, which involve accusations of corruption and political interference within the South African Police Service (SAPS), have triggered the establishment of an ad hoc parliamentary committee to investigate the matter.
The committee has until Friday, 8 August 2025 to finalise its programme.
According to the committee, they are still awaiting a draft terms of reference from Parliament’s legal team.
This document outlines what the committee can investigate and sets the rules for its work.
Once received, each political party represented in the committee is expected to submit their suggestions for the investigation before Friday’s noon deadline.
What sparked the investigation?
The committee was formed after Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made public statements implicating high-level officials, including Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, senior SAPS officers, and members of the judiciary, in alleged misconduct.
These accusations include interference in investigations, the removal of case files, and the disbandment of specialised police units.
The Ad Hoc Committee is chaired by ANC MP Soviet Lekganyane. He clarified that the parliamentary committee’s role is distinct from any judicial commission of inquiry that may be set up later.
This committee’s primary role is to gather facts, hold hearings, and compile a report for Parliament.
What the committee aims to achieve
Ad Hoc Committee member Ian Cameron, who represents the Democratic Alliance (DA), stressed the importance of the committee’s work.
“This is a once-in-a-decade opportunity to confront and clean out the rot at the top of SAPS,” Cameron said in a public statement.
The DA has outlined several goals for the committee, including:
- Publishing a full report naming those implicated and detailing timelines.
- Recommending disciplinary actions for senior police leaders.
- Referring criminal matters to bodies like the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
- Enforcing stricter appointment rules in SAPS, ending politically motivated appointments.
- Conducting lifestyle audits and background checks on top SAPS management.
- Introducing an independent oversight team to monitor reforms after the committee finishes its work.
The committee has been given until 31 October 2025 to table its findings in Parliament.
The urgency comes amid growing public concern over leadership issues within SAPS and the integrity of its investigations. Cameron added that delays would frustrate efforts to restore public trust in law enforcement.
With the draft terms expected this week and submissions due shortly after, the next few days are critical for determining how deep and far-reaching this investigation will go.