COPPING FLAK

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa says allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu as a "serious national security concern". 

This comes after Mkhwanazi dropped a bombshell during a Sunday press briefing accusing Mchunu of political interference in criminal investigations, specifically in the disbandment of the task team probing political killings in the province.

Mkhwanazi said 121 case dockets were removed from the team in March 2025 under instructions from Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, allegedly acting on Mchunu’s orders.

In response, Ramaphosa said: “This is a matter of grave national security concern that is receiving the highest priority attention. 

“It is vital that the integrity of the country’s security services is safeguarded and that the rule of law is affirmed.”

“All parties to this matter are called upon to exercise discipline and restraint. 

“The trading of accusations and counter-accusations threatens to undermine public confidence and sow confusion. 

“Furthermore, these actions damage the unity and focus of the police.”

The Presidency said Ramaphosa will outline the actions to be taken on the matter on his return from the BRICS Leaders’ Summit currently underway in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Meanwhile, speaking to broadcaster Newzroom Afrika on Sunday night, EFF spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys said the South African Police Service has become the home of criminals.

She said: "The South African Police Service is the chief crime syndicate operating in this country. All other crime syndicates answer to it. 

“If South Africans even know the rot that is happening in the South African Police Service, nobody would even bother to try and get justice there.

“The only way we are going to clean up that SAPS is that all those high-ranking police officials must be fired, they must reapply for their jobs, and they must be vetted independently.”

Elsewhere, chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, has called for an urgent parliamentary debate on the disturbing allegations.

He announced: "I have written to the Speaker of the National Assembly to request an urgent parliamentary debate on the disturbing allegations that emerged today regarding SAPS leadership."

The ANC rejected any notion that it would shield wrongdoing.

Secretary-General Fikile Mbalulasaid: “I wish to make it very clear: the ANC will not be in favour of fudging the truth in this particular instance.

“All these matters must be attended to, and we are confident that government, under the stewardship of the President, will handle them - and handle them responsibly.”