Mkhwanazi to Take the Stand as Parliament’s SAPS Probe Kicks Off

Parliament’s High-Stakes Inquiry Begins

Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating alleged political meddling and leadership failures in the South African Police Service (SAPS) is set to begin public hearings this week and all eyes are on KwaZulu-Natal’s provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who will be the first to take the stand on Tuesday.

Mkhwanazi’s testimony is expected to set the tone for what could be one of Parliament’s most consequential inquiries into the internal workings of the SAPS. His evidence comes months after he publicly raised the alarm about political interference and dysfunction within police command, claims that have since sparked widespread debate about the independence of South Africa’s law enforcement structures.

Preparing for Mkhwanazi’s Day in Parliament

At a media briefing on Friday, Advocate Norman Arendse, senior counsel to the committee, confirmed that Mkhwanazi’s witness statement had finally been completed and uploaded for Members of Parliament to access.

“The delay was due to the complexity of finalising these statements,” Arendse explained. “We’ve been engaging with General Mkhwanazi throughout the week to ensure everything is accurate.”

The inquiry was launched to examine the depth of political influence within SAPS leadership, including allegations that senior officials have been pressured or obstructed in carrying out their duties. Mkhwanazi’s earlier remarks in July reportedly triggered the need for formal investigation.

What to Expect on Day One

According to Arendse, the first day of hearings will be largely procedural and controlled. “The engagement will primarily be between the evidence leader and the witness,” he said. “Members of Parliament will have an opportunity to pose their questions the following day.”

Committee chairperson Molapi Lekganyane confirmed that the hearings would open at 09:00 on Tuesday in Parliament, with Mkhwanazi being sworn in after an opening statement from the legal team. Members will be given both digital and hard copies of evidence bundles to reference throughout the week.

Arendse added that while the inquiry shares similarities with the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which previously examined policing issues, this process will follow a distinct structure. “We won’t go paragraph by paragraph through statements. Instead, we’ll engage by topic,” he said, noting that Mkhwanazi will also be confronted with other witnesses’ accounts for comparison.

A Line-Up of Big Names

The committee plans to hear from several heavyweights in the coming weeks. National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola and Hawks head General Shadrack Sibiya are both scheduled to testify after Mkhwanazi.

Former and current ministers will also feature prominently, including Bheki Cele, Senzo Mchunu (currently suspended), Acting Minister Firoz Cachalia, and two deputy ministers. The Inspector-General of Intelligence has also indicated willingness to testify, pending final approval.

A System Under Scrutiny

For many South Africans, this inquiry feels long overdue. Allegations of political interference in SAPS have circulated for years, from disputes over high-profile arrests to suspicions that senior officers face political pressure when tackling corruption cases.

Mkhwanazi’s decision to speak out earlier this year has earned him both praise and criticism. Supporters see him as a whistleblower standing up for police integrity; detractors accuse him of dragging internal issues into the public domain. On social media, reactions have been divided, with hashtags like #MkhwanaziSpeaks trending among users calling for transparency and reform.

What’s at Stake

The stakes are high. If the committee confirms that senior politicians or officials interfered with police operations, it could have major implications for the SAPS hierarchy and even the national executive.

The inquiry also serves as a test of Parliament’s ability to hold institutions accountable something many South Africans feel has been lacking in recent years.

As the hearings begin, much of the nation will be watching to see whether this investigation delivers answers or becomes another political sideshow. For Mkhwanazi, however, it’s a defining moment, a chance to lay out his truth about what’s really happening inside one of the country’s most powerful and contested institutions.

Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating political interference in the SAPS will begin hearings on Tuesday, starting with testimony from KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. The inquiry is expected to expose deep-seated issues in police leadership and accountability, with several high-profile witnesses lined up to testify.

{Source: IOL}

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