Several of South Africa’s leading political parties have called for swift and decisive action following explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who recently exposed what he described as a criminal syndicate operating within the South African Police Service (SAPS)—implicating senior ministers and police officials.
The revelations have sparked national outrage and urgent calls for investigations and accountability from parties across the political spectrum.
MK Party Demands Arrests and Applauds Mkhwanazi
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, now South Africa’s official opposition following the 2024 general elections, praised Mkhwanazi’s boldness in a statement posted on 6 July 2025 via its @MkhontoweSizwex X (formerly Twitter) account.
The party described Mkhwanazi’s revelations as proof of his “relentless commitment to safeguarding South Africans and upholding the sanctity of the law.”
It further demanded immediate legal action:
“The MK Party calls upon General Mkhwanazi to lay criminal charges against Minister Senzo Mchunu and General Shadrack Sibiya for defeating the ends of justice within the next 24 hours,” the statement read.
It also demanded Mchunu’s immediate arrest, citing prima facie evidence presented by Mkhwanazi.
DA Calls for Parliamentary Debate on Police Corruption
The Democratic Alliance (DA)—currently part of the Government of National Unity with the ANC—called for an urgent debate in Parliament. The party’s spokesperson on Police, Ian Cameron, confirmed they had written to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza, requesting immediate deliberation on Mkhwanazi’s claims.
“It is deeply harrowing to hear of reports by the Provincial Commissioner of alleged political and criminal interference within the Political Killings Task Team,” said Cameron.
“We demand an investigation, and the DA will get answers.”
EFF Pushes for Oversight and Committee Intervention
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) echoed concerns and took a firmer stance, directly challenging Cameron to act. In a statement posted via its @EFFSouthAfrica X account, the party called for an urgent Portfolio Committee meeting on Police to summon Minister Mchunu for questioning.
The EFF also lauded Mkhwanazi for his courage, saying:
“We hope that Portfolio Committee Chairperson Ian Cameron, who often acts as SAPS’s spokesperson during meetings and attempts to block transparency and accountability, does not force us to seek intervention from the Chair of Chairs.”
Responses from Mchunu and Sibiya
Both Minister Senzo Mchunu and Deputy National Commissioner General Shadrack Sibiya have responded publicly to Mkhwanazi’s explosive claims.
According to Briefly News, Sibiya denied any wrongdoing, stating he did not act on instructions from Mchunu to disband the Political Killings Task Team.
Minister Mchunu dismissed the allegations outright, calling them “baseless” and insisting that an investigation should be launched into Mkhwanazi himself.
“Mkhwanazi will not be allowed to bring his and the police force’s dignity into disrepute,” said Mchunu.
Call for Accountability Grows
The allegations, which involve serious claims of criminal interference at the highest levels of the police service, have reignited public scrutiny of SAPS and raised concerns about political interference in high-profile investigations—particularly those relating to political killings in KwaZulu-Natal.
With pressure mounting, Parliament and oversight bodies may soon be compelled to act decisively.
