WATCH | Civil Society make submissions before the Ad Hoc Committee

Members of the public and civil society organisations are continuing their public participation process at the Ad Hoc Committee on Wednesday.

The committee is investigating allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who raised concerns of political interference and corruption during a press briefing in July 2025.

On Tuesday, the committee heard submissions from several civil society organisations, including Accountability Now, the African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum, and the Institute for Security Studies.

These organisations provided valuable insights into the issues surrounding policing and criminal justice.

The committee is set to hear further contributions on Wednesday from Lincoln Hlungwani, Advocate Tengimpilo Maqebhula, the Africa Criminal Justice Reform (Dullah Omar Institute), and Melusi Mlandu. 

These individuals and groups are expected to provide insight and make recommendations regarding the functioning of the criminal justice system in South Africa.

Institute for Security Studies researcher David Bruce told the committee that political interference continues to undermine South Africa’s policing system.

Bruce addressed concerns about the increasing influence of the Minister of Police over operational matters, particularly in light of Minister Senzo Mchunu's controversial decision to shut down the Political Killings Task Team on December 31, 2024.

Bruce emphasised that such interference, often in the form of political directives from the Minister, leads to operational inefficiencies and confusion.

“The problem isn’t just about policy versus operational decisions,” Bruce said. “It’s about how political pressures affect both.”

He argued that the current distinction between the Minister’s role in policy-making and the National Commissioner’s operational duties has blurred, causing dysfunction in the criminal justice system.

He explained that while the Constitution allows the Minister to issue directives, it remains unclear how these powers are exercised.

“The real question is how these powers are being used,” Bruce said. 

He cited a 2025 affidavit by Major General Van Rooyen, which highlighted the lack of clarity in the law regarding the Minister’s authority.

Bruce also noted that the absence of a comprehensive policy-making framework has led to inconsistent communication between the Minister and police leadership.

“There’s a tendency for Ministers to focus on local issues rather than systemic problems, leading to promises that don’t align with national priorities,” he explained.

He pointed to the National Policing Policy 2025, signed by Mchunu in December 2024, as a step forward but cautioned that such policies often overlook critical operational challenges.

He proposed a more robust policy framework that would support the Minister's role, particularly in areas like recruitment and police resources.

Bruce also addressed the broader issue of political influence on police priorities.

“Political pressure often shapes what gets prioritised, but this pressure is both policy-related and operational, complicating the line between the two,” he said.

To better regulate political interference, Bruce suggested that legislation could require consultations between the Minister and the National Commissioner before issuing directives.

These directives should also be formalised in writing and made publicly available. He referenced international models from countries like Kenya, Australia, and New Zealand, where clear frameworks govern political interference in policing.

“Our suggestion is that the focus should be on increasing transparency and ensuring that the Minister’s directions are always formalised and subject to consultation, with a clear framework around the types of issues the Minister can influence,” Bruce said.

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za

IOL Politics 

Get your news on the go. Download the latest IOL App for Android and IOS now.