Parliament, Wednesday, 5 November 2025 – The Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate Allegations made by SAPS KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Head Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has concluded hearing evidence from the Acting Minister of Police Professor Firoz Cachalia.
Prof Cachalia appeared before the committee following a request to provide a written submission addressing specific matters within the committee’s terms of reference. During his testimony, the acting Minister provided insight into National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council (NACAC) recommendations and matters relating to the Independent Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) and the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).
In his evidence, Professor Cachalia said that the NACAC, which he chaired since 2022, submitted its final report to the President in August 2025. The report represents three years of work and makes significant recommendations aimed at strengthening South Africa’s anti-corruption framework.
Led in evidence by Advocate Norman Arendse, Prof Cachalia explained that the NACAC engaged with the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation, the National Prosecuting Authority, the IDAC, and the Special Investigating Unit. Following these engagements, the NACAC recommended a fundamental rethink of the country’s anti-corruption and crime-fighting structures. “We considered that there needs to be a coordinating body on criminal investigation and corruption, and that the DPCI should be reconfigured to focus on organised crime,” he said.
He added that despite repeated requests, NACAC had limited engagement with the SAPS. Committee members questioned him on the recommendations to establish an Office of Integrity and Anti-Corruption, as well as the need to strengthen law enforcement agencies, including a comprehensive overhaul of the NPA’s legislative framework.
Prof Cachalia also reflected on the role of Deputy Ministers, noting that they play an important part in supporting the work of the Ministry. “I have sought to consult with the Deputy Ministers on important matters, have met with them several times and have agreed to a sharing of tasks and responsibilities on behalf of the Ministry,” he said.
Turning to his interactions with the National Commissioner of Police, General Fannie Masemola, Prof Cachalia noted that he had engaged with the National Commissioner twice on the national PKTT, including one meeting attended by the Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi. “I requested the National Commissioner’s opinion and an update on how the matter was being handled and would be handled going forward. I then said I would appreciate a written response,” he explained.
Committee members raised concerns regarding the acting Minister’s media statement issued on 29 August 2025, which responded to comments made by the National Commissioner in public. The acting Minister clarified that his statement was in response to the National Commissioner’s public remarks about the return of 121 dockets to the PKTT, at a time when the Commissioner had not yet replied to his letter of 20 August 2025.
Prof Cachalia confirmed that he subsequently received the National Commissioner’s written response on 30 August 2025, in which the Commissioner recommended that the KwaZulu-Natal PKTT continue its work and be further capacitated as required. The Commissioner also proposed establishing similar investigative capacity in Gauteng to deal with politically related cases, whistleblower protection matters and contract killings.
“A key outcome was that the National Commissioner and I agreed to the necessity of maintaining a professional, collegial and respectful relationship. Importantly, that there be prior consultation and regular reporting on important matters in the public and policy domains,” Prof Cachalia said.
The committee welcomed the acting Minister’s cooperation and the detailed insights provided. It thanked him for his contribution to the committee’s work and reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to transparency, accountability and the strengthening of South Africa’s policing institutions.
The committee is scheduled to hear evidence of the head of the IDAC, Adv Andrea Johnson, tomorrow as follows:
Date: Thursday, 6 November 2025
Time: 10:00
Venue: Committee Room M46, Ground Floor, Marks Building, Parliament
ISSUED BY PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS MADE BY SAPS KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCIAL HEAD LIEUTENANT GENERAL NHLANHLA MKHWANAZI, MR SOVIET LEKGANYANE
For media enquiries:
Name: Malentsoe Magwagwa (Ms)
Cell: 081 716 5824
E-mail: mmagwagwa@parliament.gov.za
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