The Ad Hoc Committee investigating SAPS corruption allegations, raised by Lt. General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, is hearing submissions from civil society and the public on Tuesday.

The submissions follow months of testimony from witnesses detailing corruption and political interference in law enforcement. 

The committee has also made provisions for the public to share their perspectives on addressing police corruption, ensuring that a broad range of voices are heard as it seeks to tackle ongoing issues within SAPS.

This phase of the hearings will hear contributions from organisations such as Accountability Now, the African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum (APCOF), the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), and Gun Free South Africa, among others. 

The first presentation will be made by Advocate Paul Hoffman SC from Accountability Now. This will be followed by a submission from the African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum (APCOF), represented by Sean Tait.

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) will present its recommendations through David Bruce. Following this, Dr Stanley Maphosa from Gun Free South Africa will address the committee, along with whistleblower Patricia Mashale, who will also make her submission. The final submission will be from Pilasande Dotyeni.

These organisations are expected to offer their input into the systemic issues affecting policing in South Africa, including the broader impact of corruption and political interference on law enforcement’s integrity.

IOL previously reported that Nicolette van Zyl-Gous, the committee’s Content Adviser, noted that the public submissions would help highlight broader patterns of misconduct within the police service, as opposed to isolated incidents.

“The submissions provide valuable insight into patterns of alleged conduct, rather than isolated incidents,” she said.

The submissions, according to van Zyl-Gous, have consistently pointed to themes of political interference, corruption, collusion among law enforcement officers, and weaknesses within oversight systems.

A recurring concern raised by contributors has been the intimidation and fear of reprisal experienced by whistleblowers.

The submissions have also pointed to a general erosion of public trust in the criminal justice system.

“There is a diminishing public trust in the criminal justice system, which these submissions highlight,” van Zyl-Gous added.

It is expected that these oral presentations will take place over one or two days, with each presenter allocated approximately 40 minutes each.

Ad hoc committee chairperson, Soviet Lekganyane, said the committee was working within a tight timeframe, with hearings set to conclude by February 6. This deadline, according to the technical team, is necessary to allow enough time for the drafting of the final report.

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za 

IOL Politics

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