Latest news with #PortfolioCommitteeonPolice
IOL News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Parliament to establish an ad hoc committee to investigate Mkhwanazi's allegations
Parliament's Portfolio Committees on Police and Justice propose forming an ad hoc committee to urgently investigate allegations against the KwaZulu-Natal SAPS Provincial Commissioner, ensuring swift oversight and protecting the justice system's integrity. Parliament's Portfolio Committees on Police and Justice propose forming an ad hoc committee to urgently investigate allegations against the KwaZulu-Natal SAPS Provincial Commissioner, ensuring swift oversight and protecting the justice system's integrity. The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police and the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, in a joint meeting, said that an ad hoc committee is the most appropriate mechanism to investigate allegations made by the South African Police Service (Saps) KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkwanazi. As per the directive from the Speaker, the two committees will recommend to the National Assembly (NA) that an ad hoc committee be established to consider the matter. The committees' recommendations will also emphasise 'the need for urgency in considering the matter.' Following consideration of a legal opinion from the Parliamentary Legal Services, the committees agreed that the format of an ad hoc committee, as provided for under Rule 253 of the National Assembly, is best suited for the matter at hand. In a joint statement, Ian Cameron, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, and Xola Nqola, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, said: 'The rationale for this option is that the scope of such a committee is specific and time-bound.'
The South African
13-07-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Could've been an email? President Ramaphosa slammed over family meeting
After keeping South Africans waiting close to an hour, President Cyril Ramaphosa has faced backlash over his lacklustre family meeting addressing allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi against Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu. A week ago, Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu of conducting a series of underworld dealings in a bombshell media briefing. Mchunu has since requested to be placed on special leave. Addressing South Africans via a televised broadcast, President Ramaphosa addressed Nhlanhla Mkhwana's allegations that Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu was the brainchild of a criminal syndicate within his department. His ten-minute address is outlined in the following key points… President Ramaphosa expressed his concern that if proven true, the allegations could undermine the constitution, the rule of law, and national security. It would require an 'urgent and comprehensive investigation.' He would establish a judicial commission of inquiry chaired by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga. Advocate Sesi Baloyi and Advocate Sandile Khumalo will assist him. Despite outlining the lengthy process, Ramaphosa claimed that the commission would be attended to with 'necessary urgency and thoroughness'. After its investigation, the commission would submit a final report to Ramaphosa, who would also expect an interim report after three and six months. Interim reports are expected after 3 and 6 months, respectively. Minister Senzo Mchunu has been placed on a [paid] leave of absence with immediate effect. Wits Professor Firoz Cachalia will be appointed acting Minister of Police at the end of July. In the interim, another cabinet member will take up the temporary post. While many South Africans expected fireworks in the family meeting – like Ramaphosa's suspension of either Minister Senzo Mchunu or Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi – the outcome was something of an anticlimax. Ian Cameron, the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, posted on X: 'Police Capture is real. Parliament and SAPS leadership cannot wait for yet another long, expensive process while trust in policing collapses further. A commission is only as good as the will to act on its findings, and so far that track record is poor'. Build One South Africa leader Mmusi Maimane added: 'This was not enough. We have had enough commissions of inquiry…I believe that Senzo Mchunu should have been fired, as well as the other ministers who have lied to parliament. This was a missed opportunity in that respect.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The South African
MaMkhize threatens to sue Ian Cameron over Vusi Matlala 'link'
Shauwn Mkhize – also known as MaMkhize – has threatened to sue Portfolio Committee on Police chairman Ian Cameron over his allegations linking her to alleged fraudulent businessman Vusi 'Cat' Matlala. The bombshell claim was made in a media briefing on Monday, 7 July, following KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's underworld allegations about the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu. Cameron claimed that MaMkhize – who has been previously convicted of bribery, tax evasion, and forgery – was associates with both Mchunu and Matlala. Speaking to IOL, Iam Cameron conceded he had erroneously linked MaMkhize to controversial tenderpreneur, Vusi 'Cat' Matlala. He said: 'I can confirm that it was a slip-up with the name and that the guns did in fact belong to Vusi Xaba and not Matlala. However, while the ownership was legal, the storage of the arms was illegal.' During a media briefing on Monday, Cameron said: 'During that raid, a whole cache of firearms was seized. All of those firearms were registered to a security company belonging to none other than Mr Cat Matlala'. Cameron is referring to a SARS raid of MaMkhize's La Lucia mansion last November amid reports she owes R40 million in unpaid taxes. He also mentioned businessman Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, who, Nhlanla Mkhwanazi previously claimed, is believed to have benefited from his relationship with Minister Senzo Mchunu. Cameron added in his speech that all the firearms had been returned to Matlala despite their call for an inquiry. Meanwhile, MaMhize's legal team have ordered Iam Cameron to retract his statement about Vusi Matlala and publicly apologise. Her lawyer, Mpho Nefuri, said, 'My client's name was erroneously linked to criminal activity, and even SAPS was mentioned to give the false claim credence. There's been no report from SAPS to say the arms were illegally owned or stored, and my client does not even know this, Vusi Matlala.' The legal representative continued: 'This retraction must be published and or broadcast in the same parliament and all media coverage. It must be clear and explicit on your retraction that the allegations were false. Without basis and verification, and lacked authenticity. And that you deeply regret that you made them.' Ian Cameron accused MaMkhize of being linked criminally accused Vusimusi Cat Matlala and Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu. However, he later admitted to making a 'slip up'. Images via X In response, Cameron told the Citizen that, irrespective of his slip-up, MaMkhize was guilty of unlawfully storing firearms belonging to the licensed holder. He said: 'Raising serious questions about regulatory failure, firearm control, and private security oversight. 'These matters are of clear public interest and fall squarely within my constitutional oversight role as a Member of Parliament, which is protected by parliamentary privilege. 'The firearms were stored in contravention of PSIRA's own regulations and seemingly the Firearms Control Act'. Vusi Xaba is MaMkhize's bodyguard and owner of VVIP Protection and VIP Security. According to reports, Xaba is also a taxi boss and has been summoned to appear in SARS tax evasion charges against MaMkhize. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Eyewitness News
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Didiza says Parliament considering Mkhwanazi's allegations
CAPE TOWN - National Assembly Speaker, Thoko Didiza, has noted with concern allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of political interference in the police. Didiza said the allegations presented by Mkhwanazi at the weekend, regarding security matters that she says have "implications for the country's national security", are being considered for debate by the National Assembly. She said the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, has also sought guidance on how to address the matter going forward. ALSO READ: - Mkhwanazi names man with alleged links to Mchunu as central to meddling in police cases - Mkhwanazi raises concerns about classified police files being compromised by outsiders - Mkhwanazi alleges political involvement in cases being investigated by the police "The Speaker has since received two letters from political parties requesting a snap debate on the issues raised by General Mkhwanazi, in accordance with the Rules of the National Assembly," said Parliament spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo. Didiza said she welcomes the president's undertaking to engage with the matter. "We welcome the statement by the President indicating that he will address this matter upon his return from the BRICS meeting in Rio de Janeiro."
The Citizen
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
‘South Africans are not safe,' warns police committee chair
Cameron slammed weak whistleblower protections and rising murders, urging Parliament not to accept violent crime as the norm. Chairperson of the portfolio committee on police Ian Cameron. Picture: Neil McCartney / The Citizen South Africans are not safe in their own country, and whistleblowers remain unprotected amid escalating violence and weak security systems. This was the sobering message from Ian Cameron, chairperson of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Police, during a Peace and Security Cluster meeting on Monday. Daily murders In a candid exchange with community stakeholders and traditional leaders, Cameron admitted the country is far from winning the fight against crime. 'Are we still safe in the country? No, not completely. We're not. It's the reality. I mean, between 60 and 70 people are murdered every day,' he said. Cameron highlighted the desperate state of safety in some communities, pointing to frequent shootings in areas like Mitchells Plain in Cape Town. 'I think the last two times I was there, just in the last two weeks, while you're in a meeting, you hear gunshots going off a few blocks away. There's nothing normal about that. And we certainly shouldn't accept it as the norm,' he said. Whistleblower and witness protection failing Addressing concerns about the safety of whistleblowers, Cameron said protection remains severely lacking. 'It's a remarkable concern for all of us. I don't think all whistleblowers are safe. There's no use sugarcoating it. Very few of us have any form of additional layered security,' he said. He criticised the justice system for failing to prioritise protective measures for whistleblowers, witnesses, and even prosecutors who face threats. 'Even within the NPA, it's not only about protecting witnesses, but also their own prosecutors. Many of them simply do not have the protection they need,' he added. ALSO READ: Cameron: Suspend all arrested Saps officers Small gains, but no cause for celebration While acknowledging a marginal drop in murder rates, Cameron urged caution in interpreting the data. 'We've seen a slight decrease in murder. It's good if there is one less life lost, but it's not something we can celebrate yet. We're not at a point where we are winning,' he said. Cameron's remarks come amid growing public concern over police accountability, rising crime, and the state's ability to protect its citizens. NOW READ: Mkhwanazi knows the risk of speaking out, says police committee chair
