SAPS inquiry Ramaphosa's 'way to manage public rage' - expert

JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa has been accused of establishing a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into allegations of corruption in the police service as an attempt to quell public outrage.

While the president has received praise in some sectors, he has also garnered criticism in others.   

Political analyst, Ralph Mathekga, said Ramaphosa shied away from taking decisive action after KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, implicated Police Minister Senzo Mchunu in corruption within the police. 

Mathekga said the public cynicism is justifiable, highlighting that the recommendations of the commission are not binding.

The head of State on Sunday announced the establishment of the commission to be chaired by the now acting Deputy Chief Justice, Mbuyiseli Madlanga, who is scheduled to retire at the end of July.

Mathekga said the president may exercise his discretion when considering the commission’s recommendations.

“It looks like it is a way to manage the public rage. I mean, we need to understand the path of a commission of inquiry. It gets set up, and when it gets set up, we look as to who is going to chair it, and then as time goes by, the issue seems to manage itself. The public rage tends to dissipate, and a sense of urgency tends to disappear.”

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