Explosive Allegations of Corruption and Political Interference Shake SAPS to its Core
Serious allegations of corruption and political interference have rocked the South African Police Service (SAPS), thrusting its senior leadership into the spotlight.
In a bombshell statement today, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of undermining justice and shielding organized crime, sparking urgent calls for an independent investigation.
General Mkhwanazi, a seasoned 30-year SAPS veteran, alleged that Sibiya obstructed justice by suppressing investigations into political assassinations and organized crime, taking control of over 120 sensitive dockets that have since stalled.
“These allegations, if proven true, point to a deeply concerning level of political interference and possible complicity in criminality at the highest levels of SAPS,” wrote Ian Cameron, chairman of the South African parliamentary portfolio committee on police, crime activist, and member of parliament, in a detailed statement amplifying the claims.
Adding to the controversy, activist Yusuf Abramjee, in a parallel statement, demanded immediate action, stating, “President Cyril Ramaphosa should immediately suspend Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, and implicated police officers.”
Abramjee described Mkhwanazi’s claims as “damning,” noting, “The criminal justice system has again been badly compromised.”
The accusations extend to Minister Mchunu, with Mkhwanazi linking him to controversial contractor Vusumuzi “Cat” Matlala, who reportedly holds SAPS contracts worth hundreds of millions of rand despite facing serious criminal charges.
Mkhwanazi further claimed that Mchunu disbanded a specialized task team investigating political killings, delayed key appointments in Crime Intelligence, and interfered in active investigations, weakening the force’s ability to combat crime effectively.
Abramjee echoed these concerns, warning, “With crime levels as high as they are and organized crime syndicates thriving, we cannot allow this nonsense,” and called for an independent commission of inquiry “without delay to get to the bottom of this once and for all.
“Additional allegations suggest that access to sensitive intelligence systems has been abused to benefit criminal syndicates and political interests, painting a troubling picture of a police leadership allegedly unable or unwilling to uphold its constitutional mandate.
Cameron, in his statement, demanded an independent commission of inquiry, urging Parliament and the Presidency to act swiftly to restore public trust.
The revelations have ignited a firestorm on social media, with the public calling for a cleanup of the police force and warning that General Mkhwanazi, who has become a target for speaking out, must be protected.
Others expressed skepticism about President Cyril Ramaphosa taking action against an ANC-aligned minister, suggesting entrenched political interests may shield the accused.
This scandal comes amid a broader crisis within SAPS, highlighted by the recent arrest of Criminal Intelligence Chief Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo on June 26, 2025, on fraud and corruption charges.
The Democratic Alliance, a key opposition party, has welcomed such moves, describing SAPS as “on the brink of collapse.”
As South Africans demand answers, the outcome of these allegations could reshape the nation’s law enforcement landscape, with Cameron concluding, “The public deserves accountability. If left unaddressed, these claims risk entrenching the perception that organized crime is protected from within the state itself.”
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