The Democratic Alliance (DA) is demanding an immediate parliamentary debate in response to damning claims of political and criminal interference within the South African Police Service (SAPS), as exposed by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi during a stunning press briefing on Sunday.
In its official statement, the DA described Mkhwanazi’s revelations—including the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team and the removal of more than 120 sensitive dockets—as “disturbing and deeply indicative of systemic rot” within the country’s top law enforcement structures.
The party has formally written to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza, calling for an urgent parliamentary debate to address what it views as a national crisis in policing. The DA also challenged President Cyril Ramaphosa to publicly respond to the allegations leveled against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, warning that failure to act decisively would further erode public trust in government.
“South Africa cannot fight violent crime when the very institutions meant to lead the charge are allegedly compromised from within,” the party said. It emphasized that without rigorous integrity management and accountability mechanisms, SAPS risks becoming incapable of fulfilling its constitutional mandate.
This call comes amid growing public and political pressure following Mkhwanazi’s explosive briefing, which implicated senior SAPS officials in obstructing investigations into political assassinations—a crisis the DA argues demands immediate oversight and national dialogue.
With the ANC and other parties also under pressure to respond, the DA’s move signals escalating political fallout over Mkhwanazi’s claims, and places renewed focus on the future leadership and reform of South Africa’s embattled police service.
