Mkhwanazi to Testify First in Explosive SAPS Political Interference Probe

South Africa’s police leadership is once again under the spotlight as Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi prepares to give bombshell testimony in Parliament’s probe into alleged political interference in the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The Ad Hoc Committee, chaired by Molapi Lekganyane, confirmed that Mkhwanazi KwaZulu-Natal’s Provincial Commissioner will open the public hearings. The decision follows weeks of behind-the-scenes wrangling to finalise the inquiry’s Terms of Reference, which will now guide a politically charged investigation set to conclude by 31 October 2025.

The Allegations That Rocked SAPS

In July, Mkhwanazi stunned the country when he accused Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of derailing investigations into political killings. Wearing full Special Task Force combat gear at a press briefing, the commissioner claimed that Mchunu ordered the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team and the removal of more than 120 sensitive case dockets.

Those files, Mkhwanazi alleged, implicated politicians and prosecutors in organised crime syndicates. “This was not the work of the national commissioner. This was orchestrated by Minister Mchunu,” he charged, calling it a direct obstruction of justice.

The Political Killings Task Team had been established in 2019 after the Moerane Commission laid bare the roots of political assassinations in KwaZulu-Natal a province notorious for deadly intra-party rivalries.

Ramaphosa Steps In

The explosive claims ignited national uproar. Mchunu denied the allegations as “baseless,” but President Cyril Ramaphosa swiftly announced a judicial commission of inquiry. Mchunu has since been placed on special leave, raising further questions about power struggles within the ANC and SAPS leadership.

Civil society groups, police unions, and opposition parties have welcomed Parliament’s probe, warning that anything less than full transparency will deepen public mistrust in law enforcement.

What Comes Next

According to Lekganyane, Mkhwanazi’s testimony will “set the direction” of the committee’s work. External legal counsel will be appointed, witnesses will testify under oath, and whistleblowers will be granted protection under existing legal frameworks.

The committee’s deadline just two months away is tight, but the stakes are high. For many South Africans, the hearings represent more than just another political scandal; they touch on the credibility of the state’s ability to tackle corruption and protect communities plagued by violence.

{Source: IOL}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com