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Daily Maverick
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
MPs recommend that ad hoc committee probes Mkhwanazi's allegations within 90 days
A joint committee meeting in Parliament has also recommended that the committee should identify any legislative or policy failures that may have contributed to the policing crisis. Parliament's police committee chair, Ian Cameron, says the formation of an ad hoc committee to probe KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's allegations of police corruption is a 'positive process'. Cameron was speaking at the Cape Town Press Club on Tuesday, 22 July, about the policing scandal that has exposed rival factions in South Africa's law enforcement arena. Watch: Inside Mkhwanazi's claims: South Africa held hostage by criminal cartel A joint meeting of Parliament's police committee and its justice and constitutional development committee on Tuesday agreed to adopt their report recommending to the National Assembly that an ad hoc committee be formed to investigate Mkhwanazi's allegations. The decision followed a directive from National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza earlier this month asking the committees to come up with an appropriate approach to oversight concerning the allegations. The committees had considered options including conducting a full investigative inquiry under the Powers, Privileges and Immunities Act and exercising their conferring powers in terms of National Assembly Rule 169 — which dictates how committees can or must consult or meet with each other. Ultimately, it decided on the ad hoc committee because it is 'task-specific and time-bound'. 'The Committees are acutely aware of the need for the National Assembly to ensure an expeditious process. The Committees, therefore, recommend the establishment of an ad hoc Committee in accordance with National Assembly Rule 253,' stated the report. 'This is because the scope of an ad hoc committee is task-specific and time-bound, contrary to the general oversight function of portfolio committees, which, in contrast, is ongoing and often requires juggling competing priorities.' The recommendation of an ad hoc committee comes after Mkhwanazi held a press conference on 6 July and claimed that a drug cartel in Gauteng was controlling a high-level criminal syndicate that extended into the South African Police Service, the Police Ministry, Parliament, official prison structures, the judiciary and other law-enforcing authorities. He also alleged that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, along with several other figures, including the deputy national commissioner for crime detection, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya (who has since been told to take special leave), had undermined investigations into political killings and organised crime. President Cyril Ramaphosa has since announced that a judicial commission of inquiry will probe Mkhwanazi's allegations, and placed Mchunu on leave with immediate effect. Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe is filling Mchunu's position until August, when Firoz Cachalia, the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council's chairperson and former Gauteng community safety MEC, will take over. Cameron said Ramaphosa's response to Mkhwanazi's allegations felt 'like burying one's head in the sand'. 'None of these inquiries or judicial commissions have really shown any form of result — apart from destroying tax coffers. [They haven't] shown any form of real justice,' said Cameron. Good result However, Cameron said he was 'confident' that the ad hoc committee in Parliament could 'have a good result'. 'It depends on how the Speaker also structures it — we don't have a direct say over that. Then that ad hoc committee would sit and determine their terms of reference, and obviously that is the critical part,' he said. 'We don't want to unnecessarily have duplication over anything that the commission is doing, but I think Parliament is already perfectly positioned to do the relevant interrogation of many of the allegations that have been made, and hopefully then we would be able to see quicker results and recommendations.' Cameron said the report was expected to be tabled in the National Assembly on Wednesday, 23 July. The committees have recommended that the ad hoc committee process be concluded within 90 days from it being formed. 'We have recommended three months for the ad hoc committee process, and hopefully we'd be able to get through it in that time. I don't think it needs to take much longer for the scope of what we would look at,' said Cameron. While the terms of reference are expected to be decided only once the ad hoc committee has been formed, the committees, in their report to the National Assembly, have recommended that, in addition to Mkhwanazi's allegations, 'consideration is given to identifying any legislative and/or policy failures or gaps that may have contributed to this matter'. DM
IOL News
22-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Parliament acts on Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi's explosive claims with plans for ad hoc committee
The South African Parliament takes a decisive step to investigate police allegations, calling for a dedicated Ad Hoc Committee to uphold justice and accountability in law enforcement. This comes following explosive claims made by KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Image: Thobile Mathonsi / Independent Newspapers The Portfolio Committee on Police and the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development took a significant step forward by adopting a report that calls for the establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee. This committee is aimed at investigating serious allegations made against Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkwanazi, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS). This announcement has stirred anticipation regarding the implications for governance and accountability within South Africa's criminal justice framework. The adopted report articulates the joint committees' stance that an Ad Hoc Committee represents the most effective parliamentary tool for a comprehensive inquiry into these troubling allegations. In contrast to the ongoing oversight functions of standard portfolio committees, which often find themselves balancing multiple priorities, an Ad Hoc Committee would focus specifically on the task at hand, ensuring a streamlined process designed to reach conclusions swiftly and efficiently. Central to the report is a recommendation that the establishment of the Ad Hoc Committee should fall under National Assembly Rule 253, intended for time-bound, task-specific investigations. The committees suggested that, should the National Assembly agree to this recommendation, the inquiry should aim for a resolution within 90 days from its formation, although this timeframe can be extended if required. The gravity of the allegations associated with Lieutenant General Mkwanazi cannot be understated, as they carry significant implications for the rule of law and public trust in state institutions. The joint committees emphasised the necessity of approaching this inquiry with utmost seriousness. The establishment of a focused, multi-party committee is seen as essential to ensuring transparency, fairness, and thoroughness in the process. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Moreover, the committees underscored Parliament's constitutional obligation to oversee state institutions and uphold justice, integrity, and accountability as core principles in their deliberations. Their firm commitment to ensuring a principled handling of the matter highlights an essential aspect of parliamentary responsibility, particularly in matters as sensitive as those concerning law enforcement. As the report now heads to the National Assembly for consideration, observers await how the Assembly will respond and what the eventual committee will look like, including its members and terms of reference. This development represents a crucial moment for South Africa's justice system, with the potential to reinforce accountability at a foundational level. IOL
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 Citizen
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
EFF calls for Ad Hoc Committee investigation into Mkhwanazi's allegations, rejects portfolio committee investigations
All eyes are on Ramaphosa as the country waits to see if he will take action against Mchunu. The EFF in parliament has criticised the Speaker of parliament, Thoko Didiza for delegating three portfolio committees in parliament to come up with resolutions on how the legislature should handle the allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. On Wednesday, Didiza assigned the portfolio committees on Justice & Constitutional Development, Police, and Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence to investigate the veracity of Mkhwanazi's allegations. These allegations include widespread corruption within the South African Police Service (SAPS), involving politicians and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Mkhawanazi also claims that police minister Senzo Mchunu is linked to criminal gangs and that he has interfered with cases. 'This approach is inadequately flawed' In a letter to Dididza, EFF Chief Whip, Noluntu Nolutshungu told Didiza that appointing three Committees to deal with the matter is procedurally flawed. 'While we appreciate the urgency with which the Office of the Speaker has responded, we respectfully submit that this approach is procedurally inadequate and substantively limited in addressing the magnitude of the matter at hand. 'The allegations raised by Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi on 6 July 2025 go far beyond the mandate of any individual portfolio committee. 'They implicate not only the executive, but also senior officials in the police service, members of the judiciary, prosecutorial authorities, intelligence structures, and business actors,' she said. The demand for a full investigation Nolutshungu said a unified approach with dedicated timelines and parliamentarians assigned to look at this would be the best option. 'The cross-cutting and systemic nature of these allegations demands a unified, non-fragmented process with the authority, resources, and mandate to pursue a full investigation,' she said. The need for a thorough investigation Nolutshungu said assigning the matter to three committees risks producing inconsistent processes, jurisdictional overlap, and weakened institutional accountability. 'A dedicated Ad Hoc Committee, properly constituted in terms of Rule 253 and supported by a clear resolution of the House, is the only mechanism capable of responding to the national crisis with the seriousness and coherence it demands,' she said. The EFF has formally submitted its request for consideration for the establishment of the Ad Hoc Committee. 'We further request that an urgent meeting of the Programming Committee be convened to facilitate the inclusion of this motion on the Order Paper for one of the upcoming sitting days,' she said. ALSO READ: Mkhwanazi vs Mchunu: 5 things you need to know about their explosive feud Political analyst weighs in Meanwhile, political analyst Theo Neethling said a thorough investigation is essential, as this matter touches on the country's national security. 'This matter deal with the integrity of the Minister of Police. It drills into the heart of safety and security challenges in SA a through investigation is needed,' he said. Neethling said Ramaphosa is under immense presser to take decisive action. 'I believe President Ramaphosa will act with caution and is unlikely to move against Minister Mchunu without a firm and credible basis for doing so. And, many questions are currently hanging in mid-air,' he said. Neethling said corruption in government has been a problem for some time now, he says it has come up in many ANC conferences, including in an ANC general council meeting in 2015. 'Yet, a decade later, we hear that South Africa's justice system has been severely weakened, allowing criminals to act with impunity, while political will to act against ministers accused of corruption appears lacking. 'Of particular concern are the remarks made by the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Shamila Batohi, who recently warned that the rule of law in South Africa is 'in the ICU on life support measures,' he said. NOW READ: Mkhwanazi vs Mchunu: Reputation of police now 'dented'
