Latest news with #Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi
News24
4 days ago
- Politics
- News24
Governance by Inquiry: SA's truth machines or political theatre?
In this week's Friday Briefing, we spotlight the South African government's proclivity for commissions of inquiry. EDITORIAL: Governance by Inquiry: SA's truth machines or political theatre? In September 2018, the scathing findings of the Moerane Commission into political killings in KwaZulu-Natal were released. Two years after it was first established, the three commissioners found that several government failures, provincial politics and greed were at the centre of the killings. Then-KwaZulu-Natal premier Willies Mchunu promised that the government would move swiftly to implement recommendations. That did not happen. At the time, seven years ago, a reader commented: 'How can it take you two years to determine these facts which are common knowledge in the public sector? You don't have to be a politician or investigator to know these things, you just need to keep up with the news. But I doubt if all of this will change much in the foreseeable future or maybe Ramaphosa will do hope.' The fallout from accusations by KwaZulu-Natal's top cop, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, that many politicians and state organs are complicit in organised crime, has been significant, resulting in the police minister and deputy national police commissioner being placed on special leave. Ramaphosa also announced a new commission of inquiry with strict timelines that will investigate these claims. But we've seen commissions of this nature play out and, clearly, very few reforms have come to pass. The sentiment of the reader seven years ago has just intensified, with many in the public weary of yet another inquiry. Will it be just another ploy by politicians to ease public pressure? Or will this new commission lead to effective reforms that build public trust and confidence? In this week's Friday Briefing, we explore the role of commissions of inquiry. News24's legal journalist, Karyn Maughan, argues that the Zondo Commission exposed the ANC as an organised criminal enterprise, at huge political cost to the party. Now, the Madlanga Commission threatens to do the same to a weakened ANC and may fast-track the party's demise. Dr Lincoln Cave, who is attached to North-West University's Centre for Geopolitical Security and Strategy, argues that more efficient, cost-effective and targeted alternatives would be preferable to establishing yet another commission of inquiry. And finally, advocate Lauren Kohn, founder and director of The Law and Governance Academy of Southern Africa, asks what it will really take for the Madlanga Commission to move from words to meaningful action. You can read the submissions below. Have a great weekend! IN-DEPTH | Madlanga inquiry to sound death knell for Ramaphosa's ANC The state capture inquiry exposed the Jacob Zuma-led ANC as an organised criminal enterprise, at huge political cost to the party. Now, Karyn Maughan argues, the Madlanga Commission threatens to do the same to the weakened ANC under Cyril Ramaphosa. Read the article here. Lincoln Cave | Why we don't need a new commission of inquiry Previous inquiries into the security cluster have already identified critical governance issues. Dr Lincoln Cave, attached to North-West University's Centre for Geopolitical Security and Strategy, argues that more efficient, cost-effective and targeted alternatives would be preferable to establishing yet another commission of inquiry. Read the article here. Gallo Images/Daily Maverick/Felix Dlangamandla Lauren Kohn | The Madlanga Commission can restore public confidence if… For a public weary of empty inquiries and failed accountability, Lauren Kohn asks what it will really take for the Madlanga Commission to move from words to meaningful change. Read the article here. Cartoon by Carlos Carlos Amato
The Herald
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
'South Africans tired of commissions of inquiry': parties on Ramaphosa's response to Mkhwanazi allegations
Political parties have cautiously welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to establish a commission of inquiry to look into explosive allegations by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, saying previous inquiries yielded little results. Addressing the nation on Sunday evening, Ramaphosa announced he was placing minister of police Senzo Mchunu on special leave, and said and that Prof Firoz Cachalia would act as police minister. Ramaphosa also announced he has established a judicial commission of inquiry chaired by acting deputy chief justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga to investigate allegations relating to the infiltration of law enforcement, intelligence and associated institutions within the criminal justice system by criminal syndicates. This comes after explosive allegations levelled against Mchunu by Mkhwanazi last Sunday. Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu of interfering with police investigations and of overstepping his role when he ordered the disbandment of the political killings task team. ActionSA said it sees no logic in yet another commission of inquiry carrying out work that law enforcement and agencies like Ipid should be doing, especially while the R1bn Zondo commission report into state capture gathers dust as those who committed treason continue to evade justice. DA leader John Steenhuisen welcomed the new appointment made by Ramaphosa, but also expressed concern over the decision to establish a commission of inquiry. In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, Steenhuisen said m any South Africans are sceptical about commissions of inquiry after the Zondo inquiry produced no convictions, even after people were named. He added that the public's trust might deteriorate if there is another inquiry that yields no consequences. GOOD party secretary-general Brett Herron said the appointment of a commission, while well-intentioned, is too slow, too cumbersome and too costly. 'We have walked this road before, most notably with the Zondo commission, and we have seen that a commission of inquiry cannot replace a criminal investigation. The Zondo commission produced volumes of prima facie evidence, which the investigating authorities were then required to investigate before any decision to prosecute could be made,' he said. Herron said allegations made by Mkhwanazi demand an urgent and credible criminal investigation, not another year-long process the outcomes of which might never be acted on. RISE Mzansi welcomed the establishment of a commission of inquiry. The party feels that a judicial commission of inquiry is important because the SAPS and the minister cannot investigate themselves. 'The establishment of this inquiry insulates the process from political contamination,' said Makashule Gana, RISE Mzansi National Assembly caucus whip and member of the portfolio committee on police. Meanwhile Mchunu has welcomed Ramaphosa's decision to place him on special leave, saying he fully supports the process. 'I welcome and respect the president's decision and pledge my commitment to the process. Honour and integrity are the virtues I personally subscribe to and which we all need to make efforts to uphold. I stand ready to respond to the accusations against me and account to the citizens of the republic, fully and honestly so,' Mchunu said in a statement. TimesLIVE
