Political Theatre Overshadows SAPS Inquiry as MPs Accused of ‘Playing to the Gallery’

Calls grow for Parliament to take its oversight role seriously

What was meant to be a serious investigation into allegations of criminal infiltration within South Africa’s policing structures has instead turned into what some observers are calling political theatre.

Members of Parliament serving on the ad hoc committee probing claims by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi have been slammed for grandstanding, finger-pointing and wasting time, instead of interrogating the allegations at the heart of the inquiry.

Oversight or Stage Performance?

Witnesses like Mkhwanazi, national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola, and suspended crime detection boss Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya have appeared before the committee, but much of the focus has drifted off course.

Some MPs used their allocated time to launch partisan digs, with a few even trying to steer witnesses into blaming the ANC through leading questions. At one point, chairperson Soviet Lekganyane had to step in, reminding members to stop delivering mini-political speeches and get to the issue at hand.

Civil Society Calls the Conduct “Disgusting” and “Under-Par”

Dennis Bloem, national spokesperson for the Activists and Citizens Forum and himself a former MP didn’t mince his words.

He described the committee’s performance as “disgusting” and “under-par,” accusing MPs of chasing headlines instead of fulfilling their oversight duty.

“Instead of doing their oversight job and investigation in line with the committee’s mandate, the MPs were busy finger-pointing and playing to the media gallery,” he said.

Bloem noted that each member was given 30 minutes to question witnesses, but many squandered that time on irrelevant chatter, leaving core allegations untouched.

What the Inquiry Was Actually Meant to Investigate

The committee was formed to probe shocking claims made by Mkhwanazi, including:

• Alleged infiltration of the criminal justice system by criminal syndicates

• Claims that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu interfered in investigations

• Accusations that the minister himself is tied to criminal networks

But according to Bloem, many MPs displayed little understanding of that mandate.

“They don’t have a clue about their mandate… Instead of asking pointed questions, across the board they are scoring cheap political points,” he said.

Doubts Over the Final Report

With only two witnesses heard so far, the committee is still in its early stages. But already, trust in its ability to produce a credible report is fading.

Bloem says both Masemola and Mkhwanazi likely expected “probing, relevant questions” not political shadow-boxing.

“If things stay the same, we really don’t know what kind of report this committee will produce,” he warned.

The concern isn’t just about parliamentary decorum it’s about the stakes. The allegations deal with corruption at the core of South Africa’s criminal justice system. If the inquiry collapses into factional bickering, accountability may once again be the casualty.

Public Perception: Parliament Still Out of Touch

Online reaction echoes the frustration. Many South Africans already view Parliament as slow to act and quick to posture. For them, this inquiry could have been a chance to regain trust. Instead, critics say it’s starting to look like a replay of familiar dysfunction.

With crime, policing and political interference dominating headlines, the public is watching for answers not theatrics.

A Call for Parliament to Refocus

Bloem’s message to MPs was blunt: remember who you represent.

“They must know that they are representing millions of voiceless people and that people are depending on them.”

Whether the committee takes that warning to heart remains to be seen. What’s clear is that the credibility of the process and possibly its outcome, hangs in the balance.

{Source: The Citizen}

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