It’s been a busy 12 days since the explosive press briefing by KwaZulu-Natal top cop Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Recap: He alleged high-ranking officials interfered with investigations into political killings in KZN, and there was pressure to disband a unit investigating those killings, pointing fingers at Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Deputy Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya.
The country has been borderline obsessed since, with public response also spilling into the streets. A march in Joburg and MK-organised marches in Soweto and Durban drew hundreds, demanding the reinstatement of the disbanded task team.
The growing calls for accountability led to President Cyril Ramaphosa calling a family meeting on Sunday night. As anticipated, he announced a judicial commission of inquiry into the allegations, a move that saw jaded South Africans do a collective eyeroll. Our president has a penchant for talkshops, but we think allegations this serious do deserve an independent inquiry. Mchunu and Sibiya have both been placed on special leave.
Ramaphosa has tapped Professor Firoz Cachalia, an academic and former politician, to serve as the acting police minister from August while the commission carries out its work.
Cachalia’s experience could come in handy; he is an anti-apartheid activist and respected law professor, plus he served as MEC for Community Safety until 2009, during a period of major crime-fighting reforms in Gauteng, IOL reports.
Back to the inquiry, it will be led by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, who begins work once he formally retires later this month, date to be confirmed.
Ramaphosa has set three and six-month deadlines for interim reports from the commission, but we know from experience that these things tend to run late. (Looking at you, Zondo).
Reactions have been loud and varied. The DA cautiously welcomed Mchunu’s suspension but
warned against another “Zondo-style dead end.” The EFF called the inquiry a “smokescreen,” designed to shield Mchunu, and the MK Party labelled the decision to place Mchunu on leave “politically dodgy.”
Yesterday, while tabling the Presidency’s budget in Parliament, Ramaphosa defended his move to set up the commission, saying that while Mkhwanazi’s claims were serious, they were “untested.”
SA’s law enforcement saga is just getting started. Grab the popcorn.
