Parly committee probing allegations of police graft yet to adopt terms of reference

CAPE TOWN - Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations of police corruption has still not adopted its terms of reference, with concerns that it might need more time to complete its inquiry.

The formation of the committee stems from an unprecedented speech last month, where KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made explosive allegations about police leadership, claiming that senior-ranking officials were complicit in the cover-up of high-profile investigations into underworld figures in Gauteng.

After the bombshell, President Cyril Ramaphosa placed the national Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, on special leave.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) said every day lost due to “procedural wrangling” is another day that the rot inside the South African Police Service (SAPS) continues unchecked.

Meanwhile, ActionSA said it’s not happy with how committee chairperson, Soviet Lekganyane, is handling the inquiry.

ActionSA has written to the committee chairperson, Soviet Lekganyane, following Monday’s meeting to express its disappointment in the proceedings.

The committee was meeting for the second time to adopt its terms of reference, but members failed to adopt them by the end of the meeting.

The DA’s Ian Cameron has also noted with concern the ongoing delays in finalising the terms of reference.

Cameron said parliament cannot afford to waste time “while criminal networks exploit the vacuum”.

Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema also warned against derailing the committee by some members.

The committee is expected to adopt its terms of reference in the next two days.