28 July 2025 | 15:30 CAT
1-minute read

Dual inquiries into police corruption begin- will justice be served?

In a nutshell:

• Two separate probes (judicial and parliamentary) are investigating police corruption and political collusion in South Africa.
• Despite strong terms of reference, past commissions under Ramaphosa have seen poor implementation of recommendations.
• The real challenge lies in the political will to act on findings and dismantle entrenched criminal influence in policing.

South Africa has launched two high-stakes investigative processes to probe allegations made by KwaZulu‑Natal police chief Lieutenant‑General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, accusing top officials of collusion with organised crime. On this week’s Debrief Report, Qaanitah Hunter offers clarity on these developments, warning that past commissions may offer a sobering roadmap to scepticism rather than reform.

According to President Ramaphosa, the Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry, led by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, will examine “the veracity, scope and extent” of alleged infiltration of law enforcement, intelligence, prosecutorial agencies and metro policing by criminal syndicates.

Concurrently, Parliament has appointed a 90‑day ad hoc committee aimed narrowly at probing the role of the Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and alleged ties to organised crime.

“The terms of reference don’t specifically mention Senzo Mchunu… but the commission will probe any minister from the criminal justice system who may have aided and abetted collusion.”

The judicial process is sweeping in scope, touching on the NPA, SAPS, State Security Agency, intelligence services, and metropolitan policing structures.

By contrast, the parliamentary inquiry targets political interference — notably, whether Minister Mchunu dismantled the Political Killings Task Team to benefit criminal networks and maintained improper links with alleged enablers such as Brown Mogotsi, who is allegedly linked to underworld figure Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala.

“The public has to be conscious of why this is so important, because when we complain about the increased level of crime and the police inaction, it is symptomatic of the rot at the top echelons of the police,” Hunter noted.

But she urges cautious optimism, given the government’s troubling track record of committing to inquiry recommendations without actual implementation.

“The question is: what is the political will to actually take the unpopular decisions?”

As for timelines, the judicial commission is expected to submit interim findings within three and six months, and complete its work within one year; the parliamentary committee must deliver its conclusions within 90 days.

Listen to the Debrief Report on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat.