Together with DA Member of Parliament and Portfolio Committee Chairperson on Police, Ian Cameron MP, DA Mayoral Candidate Retief Odendaal MPL, and local councillors, the DA conducted oversight visits at the SAPS Anti-Gang Unit, Flying Squad, and K9 Unit in Gqeberha, said Yusuf Cassim MPL – DA Shadow MEC for Community Safety.

The findings were deeply troubling, Cassim reported. “Across all three units, a consistent picture has emerged. Critical policing capacity has collapsed due to years of mismanagement, bureaucratic paralysis, and neglect by national leadership.”

These failures directly undermine Parliament’s own directives, Cassim said. “In July 2025, the National Assembly adopted my petition for priority intervention in the Northern Areas’ gang crisis, following my submission to the Portfolio Committee on Police. The resolution specifically directed SAPS to address the collapse of the Anti-Gang Unit and Crime Intelligence in Nelson Mandela Bay.”

Considering the oversight visit’s findings, it is clear that those directives have been ignored, Cassim said. Residents of Nelson Mandela Bay, already facing some of the highest violent crime rates in the province, have been left “defenceless.”

The Anti-Gang Unit has only four operational vehicles for 110 visible policing personnel. Of the 29 detectives allocated to the unit, only eight are dedicated members, while the rest share duties across the organised crime unit. Detectives also face vehicle shortages, with just five operational units.

ShotSpotter and mobile surveillance systems, meant to aid in firearm and gang detection, have been non-operational for years.

The Flying Squad, once the city’s rapid-response lifeline, now operates with just one vehicle across the entire metro. The unit has also been without landlines since 2023 due to cable theft.

At the K9 Unit, staff have been cut from 40 to 22. There are only 13 dogs available, and only two of those are trained narcotics dogs, severely hampering the fight against substance abuse and gang-related drug crimes. There are also no high-performance vehicles left in service.

“These findings reflect a collapse in leadership and the erosion of essential public safety infrastructure. SAPS officers on the ground are doing their best under impossible conditions, but they are being failed by the very management tasked with supporting them,” Cassim said.

The Democratic Alliance has requested that Ian Cameron, in his capacity as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police, table these findings before the Committee and demand urgent national interventions.

“We have also requested that he urgently follow up with the Minister of Police, Firoz Cachalia, on the status of implementation of the directives from the national portfolio committee and demand an immediate national response,” Cassim said.

“The people of Nelson Mandela Bay deserve a police service capable of protecting them, not one crippled by neglect and mismanagement. Until decisive action is taken, violent criminals will continue to act with impunity while honest officers fight an unwinnable battle,” he concluded.

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According to the initial report issued by the South African Police Service (SAPS), eight suspects were arrested during a raid on Monday 22 September. Police also seized six AK-47 rifles, eight pistols and ammunition. However, it is alleged that the official docket only records six suspects, six rifles and six pistols.

“While the arrest of suspects for possession of illegal firearms is welcomed, particularly in the context of the alleged intended use of these weapons, it is deeply concerning that official information reflects only six suspects and six pistols. This is clearly inconsistent with the SAPS’s original report,” said Cameron in a statement on 25 September.

He noted that information now shows that suspects have been released without clarity on who authorised the release or the status of the confiscated firearms. These developments, Cameron cautioned, undermine public confidence in the police, particularly in crime-affected areas such as the Cape Flats.

“It is unacceptable that SAPS initially announced the arrest of eight suspects and the seizure of eight pistols, yet two suspects and two pistols are now unaccounted for in the official record,” he said. “This kind of discrepancy, or worse, possible tampering, raises serious questions about accountability and transparency within the SAPS.”

Cameron further raised concerns about the regulation of security companies’ access to firearms amid allegations that rogue security companies arm criminals, including hitmen.

In response to these developments, the Chairperson will urgently seek clarification from the SAPS on the following key issues:

• Who authorised the release of the suspects?

• Where are the missing two pistols?

• Are all firearms from the operation accounted for?

• What measures are being taken to ensure accurate, reliable and transparent reporting by SAPS?

“The Cape Flats continues to endure violent crime, gang-related killings and mass shootings,” Cameron said. “The public cannot be expected to place their confidence in law enforcement if inconsistencies and a lack of follow-through mar such serious cases.”

He reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency within SAPS and the broader Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster. The committee will also engage SAPS leadership to ensure this matter is addressed with the urgency it demands.

“Efforts to remove illegal firearms from our streets are critical, but those efforts must be undertaken with integrity,” he said. “When discrepancies like this arise, they threaten to undo the very progress we aim to make.”

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The outspoken Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Parliament (MP) who, along with two colleagues, were attacked by suspected hijackers in Philippi last month (August), received first quarter SAPS performance reports at a PCP meeting last week (10 September). Also tabled during Wednesday’s meeting were reports from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) and the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service (CSPS), a “technical advisor” to the Police Minister, currently Firoz Cachalia in an acting capacity.

A Parliamentary Communication Services statement issued post the meeting has Cameron saying: “In a country that suffers greatly from the scourge of corruption, especially the perception that some members of the SAPS are implicated in criminal conduct, the inability to institute any disciplinary hearings for the first quarter as it relates to corruption allegations further erodes the trust levels in the SAPS”.

It continues: “It is unfathomable that the SAPS has not instituted any disciplinary case and the reason given for this – delays in appointing functionaries – is unacceptable”.

The PCP recommended National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, and his service “seriously needs” to consider how the lack of consequences in the SAPS is further eroding “the non-existent trust between police and the communities they serve”.

Cameron’s committee also took SAPS to task for failing to meet its own set target of 15 closed circuit television (CCTV) systems installed in the January/March quarter of 2025, managing just one. On this, the statement has it, “during consideration of the SAPS’ annual performance plan and strategic plan, the SAPS highlighted its intention to use information technology as a force multiplier” emphasising “this under-performance undermines this drive and shows a lack of commitment to fight crime using technological advances”.

Under-performance in relation to the percentage of reported incidents of contact crime against women and children was another poor performance area picked up on by the PCP. That police were able to reduce contact crime incidents against women by 4.1% – against a planned target of 25% – was evidence of this and when taken with a 1.8% increase involving children, pointed to failure to protect the most vulnerable.

Other areas where there is under and/or a lack of performance, according to Cameron’s committee, are the use of “biological assets” – dogs and horses; the detective service reaching 40% of targets for the period under review; and the SAPS forensic laboratory not finalising case exhibits with increased demand apparently disregarded by the set down 90 day timeframe for evidence of this type.

IPID, created to investigate serious criminal offences and misconduct by police and municipal police, is also a concern for the PCP which notes its “perpetual backlog” undermines its mandate to hold the SAPS accountable.

“The committee noted the mitigation strategy to hire retired investigators and their placement in provinces with high caseloads,” adding it “remains concerning that IPID has been struggling to clear its case backlog over successive years”.

The high rate of case the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) refuses to prosecute points to what the PCP calls “weak investigative capacity in IPID”.

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Mr Cameron expressed concern that only 43.4% of households that experienced housebreaking, and 51.3% of those that suffered home robbery, reported some or all incidents to the police during the financial year. “This is an alarmingly low rate of reporting and points to an inherent lack of trust in the police,” he said.

While resource shortages – such as the high police-to-population ratio and lack of vehicles – contribute to these challenges, the Chairperson stressed that SAPS must use these statistics to strengthen their response and adopt a data-driven approach to policing.

Housebreaking and burglary remain the most common crimes faced by South Africans. “The SAPS must do more to improve visible policing, particularly in high-crime areas, to restore the public’s sense of safety in their homes,” Mr Cameron added.

The rise in sexual offences is another pressing concern. Stats SA recorded that approximately 132,000 individuals experienced sexual offences over the past five years, a 13.8% increase. During its recent oversight visit to the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory in KwaZulu-Natal, the committee flagged delays in processing DNA samples, which directly hampers the prosecution of gender-based violence (GBV) cases. Mr Cameron said: “The only real deterrent to GBV is effective prosecution. SAPS must resolve these delays as a matter of urgency to ensure perpetrators are held accountable.”

Public perceptions of safety are also in decline. The proportion of adults aged 16 and over who felt safe walking alone in their neighbourhoods during the day dropped from 85% in 2020/21 to 80.4% in 2023/24, before edging up to 81% in 2024/25. At night, the situation is far worse, with only 36.1% of adults feeling safe. Mr Cameron underlined the need for greater visible policing, especially after dark.

While acknowledging the SAPS’s shortcomings, the Chairperson also called for broader societal engagement in the fight against crime. “A whole-of-society approach is vital – whether through sharing information with the police or establishing effective community policing forums. The police cannot succeed alone,” he stressed.

The committee plans to engage both SAPS and Statistics South Africa on the general crime figures, particularly the disparity between SAPS’s reported statistics and the lived reality reflected in the survey.

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The MPs, Police Portfolio Committee Chairpersons Ian Cameron, Nicholas Gotsell, and Lisa Schickerling, had been conducting an unannounced inspection at the SAPS Philippi Training Academy. According to reports, their vehicle was ambushed on the return journey, with assailants hurling bricks and rocks. Windows were smashed and the MPs brutally assaulted. Gotsell and Cameron sustained serious injuries, while Schickerling escaped with minor wounds.

In a statement, the Presiding Officers expressed deep concern, warning that such attacks not only endanger public representatives but also undermine Parliament’s constitutional duty to hold state institutions accountable through oversight. They conveyed wishes for a full and speedy recovery to the affected members and called on law enforcement to ensure the perpetrators are swiftly apprehended and prosecuted.

Nicholas Gotsell described the ordeal, noting that a brick shattered the window next to him and struck his head, leaving an open wound. “Lisa was bruised and took a knock to the head, whilst Ian has sustained injuries which had to be stitched up as well as dental damage. We are all fine,” he said.

Gotsell stressed that the attack went beyond personal harm. “This was not just [a physical] attack. It was an attack on police oversight and the will of the people and their representatives to build safer communities. This was not a deterrent, it was a reminder of the aggression and brutality that our communities are faced with every day. We will continue to do the work we were elected to do.”

He also praised emergency responders for their swift assistance, commending SAPS, Metro Police, Metro EMS, CPI, and ER24. Special mention was made of ER24 paramedic Jason Pereira and his colleague for their professionalism and care under dangerous circumstances.

Parliament has urged calm while investigations proceed, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring the safety of Members as they carry out constitutional oversight in communities across South Africa.

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Nationwide Arrests and Major Seizures

Between 28 July and 3 August 2025, SAPS operations in Limpopo, Western Cape, Northern Cape, Free State, and Mangaung Metro led to the arrest of over 1,100 individuals. Key incidents include:

• Limpopo: 825 arrests for serious crimes including murder, rape, assault GBH, robbery, and illegal firearm possession. Seized items included over 1,300 litres of alcohol, counterfeit goods, knives, ammunition and cash.

• Western Cape: A 42-year-old suspect was arrested in Grassy Park for drug dealing, illegal liquor sales, and unlawful possession of police-issued equipment. The arrest followed a raid in the Sondela informal settlement.

• Northern Cape: 341 suspects arrested, with large quantities of drugs, counterfeit clothing, illicit tobacco, firearms and dangerous weapons confiscated. Operation Basadi was launched on 1 August to highlight the role of women in law enforcement during Women’s Month.

• Groblershoop: Coordinated raids uncovered R1.9 million in counterfeit clothing and R462,920 in illicit tobacco. Police also confiscated illegal fireworks and electronic devices in violation of the Electronic Communications Act.

• Mangaung Metro: Local foot patrols in crime hotspots resulted in arrests for undocumented residency and drunk driving. Police conducted public engagement to share safety tips and promised further operations.

Provincial police commissioners praised the dedication of officers and the support of local communities and partners in sustaining the operations.

Parliament Flags Alarming Conviction Gap

Despite the visible policing presence and large-scale arrests, concerns persist regarding the effectiveness of follow-through in the courts. In response to a parliamentary question by ANC MP Mogodu Samuel Moela, the Minister of Police disclosed that since Operation Shanela’s inception in May 2023, more than 3.68 million cases have been opened, but only 215,233 convictions have been achieved.

Convictions by Province:

• Western Cape: 54,125

• Gauteng: 37,440

• KwaZulu-Natal: 30,131

• Limpopo: 26,389

• Eastern Cape: 23,804

• Free State: 15,879

• Mpumalanga: 11,214

• North West: 9,437

• Northern Cape: 6,814

The conviction rate stands at just under 6 percent nationally, suggesting a systemic issue in the progression of cases from arrest to successful prosecution.

When asked for gender-specific data on these cases, the Minister explained that providing a demographic breakdown would require an extensive and time-consuming physical docket analysis. Such an exercise, he noted, would likely disrupt service delivery due to the scope and scale of the crimes involved.

Criticism from Civil Society

During a previous interview with ProtectionWeb, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, offered a blunt assessment. “There’s no indication to us that they’re being successfully convicted. I think it’s a massive waste of resources. It is a very old-fashioned way of policing.”

While he acknowledged that the operation may have some seasonal value, Cameron was clear in his view that the current approach is flawed. “I think there is a place for something like Shanela, especially during holiday periods and that type of thing. I think there is potential value in it. But, it’s high numbers of low-level street arrests that in most cases, don’t see a successful conviction.”

Cameron warned that the burden placed on the detective services is considerable and counterproductive. “They put the detective services under immense pressure. If you go and spend time with detectives on ground level where Shanela was active, they hate it. They hate it with an absolute passion, because the dockets that they end up having to build are terrible. The information they get from the arrest work is usually kind of worthless, and they just feel like they’ve got other solid matters to be working on, in-depth investigations they would rather zoom in on.”

He added, “If you can’t indicate to me that you had a solid conviction for each one of those arrests, it means nothing. In fact, I think instead of being a deterrent, I think some criminals that just come off of it unharmed again just find it even more comfortable to be criminal in South Africa.”

Although Operation Shanela and its provincial offshoots have disrupted criminal activity and bolstered police presence, the growing disparity between arrests and actual convictions, combined with mounting criticism from civil society, raises hard questions about the operation’s long-term impact. Without a clear link between arrests and successful prosecutions, the effectiveness of Shanela as a crime deterrent is doubtful.

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In line with this, the Chairperson wishes to share the following steps taken since the allegations were made.

1. The Chairperson has received confirmation from the Speaker of the National Assembly that she is considering the request for guidance on how to process the matter.

2. The committee has approached the Parliamentary Legal Unit for a legal opinion on possible ways to process the matter.

3. The Chairperson has received a letter from a member of the committee, Ms Lisa‐Maré Schickerling, requesting a joint parliamentary process with the Portfolio Committee on Justice. Engagements with the Chairperson of the PC on Justice have commenced to consider the modalities of such a process.

Mr Cameron has emphasised that the gravity of implications of this matter for the entire criminal justice system is the reason for such a comprehensive response to the allegations.

“I must reiterate that accountability and transparency are critical in considering this matter. The credibility of the SAPS and the security of our country is dependent on how these allegations are handled,” Mr Cameron emphasised.

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In a formal reply, the Minister cited a 2016 empirical study conducted by the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA), titled The Barrel of the Gun: Improving the Regulation and Control of the Use of Firearms within the Private Security Industry in South Africa. The study provided evidence-based recommendations to strengthen regulation of firearms in the industry and was supported by additional academic research, including studies on the health risks of TASER use (Jauchem, 2010; Zipes, 2012) and the broader implications of firearm regulation in private security (Minnaar, 2008).

The proposed regulations do not ban firearms in the sector but aim to tighten controls and increase accountability. They include requirements for private security companies to ensure officers are fit, trained and legally compliant before issuing firearms. The regulations would also mandate strict record-keeping on the issuance, use and tracking of weapons, reduce the risk of loss or theft, and enforce adherence to the Firearms Control Act, particularly in gun-free zones.

The Department emphasised that the changes are intended to promote responsible firearm management and do not undermine the industry’s operational capabilities. It also clarified that the restricted non-lethal weapons, such as those used in crowd control, are classified as potentially lethal and are not standard issue for private security. These remain the responsibility of specialised police units.

Under Section 35(1)(m) of the Private Security Industry Regulation Act (Act 56 of 2001), the Minister is authorised to introduce regulations relating to the use and possession of weapons in the industry. The Minister argues that the new framework will allow PSiRA to maintain a comprehensive, updated national database on firearm use within the sector, thereby improving regulatory oversight and public safety.

While the government frames the changes as a response to long-standing regulatory gaps, critics remain concerned that the restrictions could limit private security firms’ effectiveness in deterring crime at a time of rising national violence. The debate continues over how best to balance security, public safety and regulatory control.

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In a detailed follow-up to his explosive 6 July briefing, Mkhwanazi described how a politically connected civilian, Brown Mogotsi, began sending him confidential SAPS documents and unsolicited messages, including crime scene reports and internal briefings. The commissioner confirmed that Mogotsi had claimed close links to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, a claim later corroborated by the minister’s chief of staff.

“What concerned me most was how a civilian had access to an unsigned operational report, an official OB (occurrence book) entry, and sensitive internal presentations from crime intelligence,” said Mkhwanazi. “That alone raised serious red flags.”

According to Mkhwanazi, the interference escalated when he was appointed as presiding officer in a misconduct hearing involving senior SAPS official General Khan. After Mkhwanazi cleared Khan of wrongdoing, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) reportedly initiated an investigation based on similar complaints, allegedly without providing new evidence.

Mkhwanazi believes the investigation into Khan and himself may have been retaliatory, driven by unnamed parties within IPID and others linked to national leadership. “If they want to come for me, let them. But I will not be silenced,” he said.

He also confirmed that the controversial disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team was ordered while National Commissioner Masemola was on leave, further fuelling his suspicion that the move was orchestrated to protect politically connected suspects. “Someone whispered to the minister to sign that letter,” Mkhwanazi said. “And they timed it perfectly.”

Ian Cameron: “We Need to Tear This Out by the Roots”

In Parliament on Monday, Portfolio Committee on Police Chairperson Ian Cameron delivered a searing speech following Mkhwanazi’s revelations, calling the situation a national emergency and demanding immediate intervention from President Cyril Ramaphosa.

“This is not just about a few corrupt individuals. It is a systematic weakening of SAPS that enables criminal syndicates to operate with impunity,” Cameron told MPs. “If the commissioner’s allegations are true, they explain why the state has failed to combat violent crime. The police service has been hollowed out from within.”

Cameron announced that the committee had already written to the Speaker of the National Assembly requesting an urgent debate and public inquiry into the allegations. He called for:

• An independent ad hoc commission to investigate the 121 dockets withdrawn from the task team

• A full lifestyle and skills audit of all SAPS senior officers, starting with crime intelligence

• External vetting of appointments to prevent unqualified individuals from being promoted

• Proper funding and autonomy for IPID to pursue corruption cases free from political interference

Cameron cited previous reports showing that over 5,000 SAPS members had been arrested since 2019, with 4,000 still employed by the service. He called this a symptom of failed leadership and a culture of impunity.

“Criminals are wearing uniforms and returning to work as if nothing happened,” he said. “The public cannot trust a police service that protects its own before protecting the people.”

He singled out the case of Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, the businessman at the centre of the SAPS corruption allegations, accusing the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) of failing to act on red flags. “Firearms were seized at an unlicensed location and then returned. That tells you everything about how accountability is sidestepped.”

High-Stakes Standoff

Mkhwanazi’s position has drawn both support and backlash. While civil society organisations and some lawmakers have praised his transparency, elements within SAPS leadership have accused him of breaching protocol and undermining national unity.

Nevertheless, Mkhwanazi remains resolute. “If I have painted a target on my back, so be it. I will not allow the work of my team to be destroyed from behind closed doors,” he said.

He added that the Political Killings Task Team had been working on politically sensitive murder cases in Gauteng that appeared to be covered up or intentionally stalled, and that the withdrawal of dockets coincided with these investigations advancing.

“The moment they realised we were getting close to something, the pressure came. That’s not a coincidence,” he said.

Ramaphosa’s Response Awaited

Although President Ramaphosa has pledged to prioritise the matter upon his return from the BRICS summit, MPs are calling for more than just assurances.

“The President must act decisively,” Cameron insisted. “He must not just protect the integrity of SAPS, but restore it. And that starts with facing these allegations head-on.”

For now, the SAPS leadership remains deeply divided, the task team’s future uncertain, and South Africa’s fight against corruption in its security services teetering on a knife’s edge.

This remains a developing story.

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At the heart of Mkhwanazi’s claims is the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team, a specialist unit formed in 2018 to investigate politically motivated assassinations. According to the commissioner, the unit was shuttered in March 2025 after uncovering links between organised crime, government officials, law enforcement, and judicial figures. He cited direct interference by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, claiming they unlawfully withdrew 121 high-priority case dockets. Mkhwanazi accused them of acting to protect a network of politically connected individuals, including businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who held a R360 million SAPS contract.

Evidence presented by Mkhwanazi included internal communications, WhatsApp messages, and alleged proof of payment connecting Matlala, Mchunu and an associate, Brown Mogotsi, in what the commissioner described as a coordinated attempt to neutralise the task team’s investigations.

Sibiya Denies Allegations, Calls Mkhwanazi “Rogue”

Responding to the charges, Sibiya rejected the allegations as baseless and damaging. He insisted he acted on lawful instructions from the National Commissioner, not the minister, and maintained that the decision to reassign the dockets was routine. Sibiya further claimed that the task team itself was under investigation for misconduct and accused Mkhwanazi of grandstanding and militarising the press briefing.

Sibiya also denied knowledge of procurement processes or any involvement with Matlala, insisting he had never participated in contract decisions or received case files personally. He suggested Mkhwanazi’s actions may be politically motivated and accused him of defying chain-of-command protocol.

Ramaphosa: Allegations “Grave,” National Security at Stake

In response to the growing scandal, President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged the seriousness of Mkhwanazi’s claims and pledged swift action. Speaking through his spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, the president described the allegations as “a matter of grave concern” and “a national security issue.”

“The president regards it vital that at all material times we affirm the rule of law and we affirm the integrity of the security services,” Magwenya said. “It is also important that all the parties involved exercise restraint and avoid actions that are damaging to the unity and focus of the police.”

Ramaphosa, currently concluding his BRICS summit engagement, is expected to return to South Africa by midday Tuesday. His office confirmed that he will prioritise the matter upon arrival.

Parliament Reacts, “We Have Chaos”

The briefing has triggered a national outcry and renewed calls for a full-scale inquiry. Ian Cameron, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, described the allegations as “extremely serious” and “deeply troubling,” noting that some of the figures implicated, such as Matlala, have long evaded accountability despite repeated scrutiny.

“It is a massive cause for concern,” Cameron said. “This feels like the last remaining credibility within SAPS is being torn to pieces. Whether we agree with the optics of Mkhwanazi’s briefing or not, the substance demands urgent scrutiny. We cannot keep going like this.”

Cameron called for an integrity inquiry into SAPS senior management and acknowledged that Parliament had received prior reports of similar misconduct without seeing meaningful action.

DA and ActionSA Demand Parliamentary Debate

ActionSA representative Dereleen James echoed Cameron’s concerns, stating that “South Africans are being failed at every level.” She described the revelations as “shocking” and accused SAPS of being entangled in criminal activity rather than fighting it.

“We’ve asked questions week after week in the portfolio committee and received no answers,” she said. “We can’t trust SAPS to investigate itself. Parliament must take the lead. South Africans must demand accountability.”

Both James and Cameron have called for an urgent parliamentary debate and immediate intervention by the Speaker of the National Assembly.

Makashule Gana: Only the President Can Act

Makashule Gana, MP for Rise Mzansi, added his voice to the growing pressure, declaring that the crisis has escalated beyond Parliament’s capacity to contain. He called on President Ramaphosa to address the nation directly upon returning.

“These allegations strike at the very core of our security and justice system,” Gana said. “Only the President, as commander-in-chief, can provide the leadership this moment requires. We need a full judicial or presidential inquiry that goes beyond Parliament. The entire system may be compromised, from police to prosecutors to the judiciary.”

Gana warned that allowing the scandal to fester would empower criminal syndicates and deepen public mistrust. “These are not just internal squabbles. These are state institutions allegedly operating in collusion with criminals. The President must act now.”

Broader Implications

As of Monday evening, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), both cited in Mkhwanazi’s allegations, have yet to issue public statements.

Public confidence in SAPS continues to erode amid mounting reports of internal power struggles, senior arrests, and apparent sabotage of anti-crime initiatives.

This is a developing story.

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