The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the official commencement of Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee established to investigate explosive allegations by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi into political interference, corruption, and systemic failures within the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The committee, which held its first sitting today and elected its chairperson, has until 31 October 2025 to table its findings. The clock is ticking, and its work must begin without delay.
This committee is not just another parliamentary formality. It is a once-in-a-decade opportunity to confront and clean out the rot at the top of SAPS. The DA will push for the Committee to:
- Produce a full and transparent report into Lt Gen Mkhwanazi’s allegations, naming implicated individuals and providing timelines and evidence relating to case docket removals, the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team, and interference in Crime Intelligence;
- Identify all implicated SAPS leadership and make firm recommendations for disciplinary action or removal;
- Immediately refer all criminal findings to the NPA, SIU, IPID and other relevant bodies – particularly those involving corruption, evidence tampering, or obstruction of justice;
- Roll out urgent lifestyle audits, security vetting, and deadline-driven compliance for all senior SAPS management;
- Enforce a moratorium on further cadre deployment and political appointments in SAPS, with future appointments based strictly on merit, experience, and integrity;
- Obtain a deadline-driven action plan from the Civilian Secretariat to oversee implementation of recommendations, with quarterly progress reports to Parliament; and
- Establish a temporary, independent oversight team to drive systemic SAPS reforms beyond the committee’s term.
This Ad Hoc Committee carries a massive responsibility to prove that Parliament’s oversight powers are real and enforceable. The DA will do everything in our power to ensure it does not degenerate into another tick-box exercise.