Cachalia says Madlanga Commission is an opportunity to rebuild SAPS following Mkhwanazi's testimony

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia says testimony by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry about corruption within Crime Intelligence is not fiction.

Cachalia said there's no doubt that over time, crime intelligence has been eroded.

Appearing before Parliament's Select Committee on Security and Justice on Wednesday, Cachalia said the commission presents the opportunity for police leadership to rebuild the unit.

While Mkhwanazi was repeating testimony about corruption within Crime Intelligence before an Ad Hoc Committee of Parliament across the precinct, Cachalia was committing to the National Council of Provinces to deal decisively with gangsterism in the Western Cape.

He says Mkhwanazi's testimony about corruption and alleged political interference within the South African Police Service (SAPS) have revealed a moment of crisis.

"Many people might say, well, every time there's a new broom, the new broom wants to sweep everything. I think we are in a moment where a reset is required on many questions in the country."

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Cachalia said the Madlanga Commission presents an opportunity to learn the truth about the state of the police.

"We should not behave like ostriches, burying our heads in the sand. Let's stare the truth in the face. Let’s recognise in this crisis there’s an opportunity to rebuild and reset," he said.

He said government procurement is being compromised by organised crime and posing a danger to national security.

Cachalia said the SAPS needs to develop a structure that can address this new challenge.