Latest news with #PolicePortfolioCommittee
Eyewitness News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
COSATU joins calls for establishing inquiry into corruption allegations against police, judiciary
CAPE TOWN - The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has joined calls for the establishment of a commission of inquiry into allegations of corruption levelled against the police and judiciary. The union federation said the allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi linking Minister Senzo Mchunu to the criminal underworld are too serious and undermine confidence in law enforcement. ALSO READ: - Mkhwanazi names man with alleged links to Mchunu as central to meddling in police cases - Mkhwanazi raises concerns about classified police files being compromised by outsiders - Mkhwanazi alleges political involvement in cases being investigated by the police COSATU's call followed a similar call by Police Portfolio Committee chairperson Ian Cameron, who also wants an independent probe. Cameron on Monday gave a list of suggestions on how to get to the bottom of the allegations made by Mkhwanazi, which includes lifestyle audits of all senior police. 'Some of the following immediate solutions could be considered and this is specifically regarding the integrity challenges within the South African Police. "The first one is an appointment of some kind of an ad hoc inquiry or commission with a clear timeline to investigate the allegations.' COSATU parliamentary coordinator Matthew Parks said given the 'grave nature of the allegations', the federation also urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to appoint an independent commission of inquiry. He said while South Africans may be wary of another inquiry, the nature of the allegations 'cannot be left unattended and would best be done by an independent inquiry'. Parks also said the federation supports Ramaphosa's appeal for calm as he returns from Brazil to attend to the matter.
IOL News
5 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Didiza weighs urgent debate requests following explosive allegations from Mkhwanazi
National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has received two letters from political parties requesting a snap debate on the issues raised by KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and a request for guidance on how the Police Portfolio Committee should address them. Image: Supplied National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza is considering the action to take following allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo stated that Didiza is concerned about the wide-ranging allegations presented by Mkhwanazi regarding security matters that could impact the country's national security. 'We welcome the statement by the president indicating that he will address this matter upon his return from the BRICS meeting in Rio de Janeiro,' he said. Mothapo said Didiza has received correspondence from political parties for urgent debate and a request from a portfolio committee asking for advice in handling the allegations. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'The Speaker has since received two letters from political parties requesting a snap debate on the issues raised by General Mkhwanazi, in accordance with the Rules of the National Assembly. 'In addition, the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police has written to the Speaker seeking guidance on how the committee should address these matters, as they fall within its oversight responsibilities. The Speaker is currently considering all of these matters,' Mothapo said. Didiza made the comments after the DA wrote to Didiza asking for an urgent debate in Parliament on corruption within the SAPS. DA MP and Chairperson of Police Portfolio Committee Ian Cameron said the disturbing allegations of corruption, political interference, and malfeasance at the very top of South Africa's law enforcement and national security infrastructure should be investigated immediately. 'It is deeply harrowing to hear of reports by the provincial commissioner of alleged political and criminal interference within the SAPS' police killings task team. We demand an investigation, and the DA will get answers,' he said. 'The president of the Republic, who is presently away, must also immediately respond to allegations against a Cabinet minister. We trust that the Speaker rules accordingly in due course,' Cameron said. ActionSA MP Dereleen James also wrote to Didiza, requesting an urgent debate on the broader criminal justice system following the allegations by Mkhwanazi. 'Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's remarks are a clear indication that the situation has reached breaking point. Parliament must therefore intervene without delay, as responsibility cannot rest solely with the Minister of Police or the president, who have presided over the escalation and deepening of this crisis,' James said. The DA is now calling for a joint parliamentary inquiry involving the Portfolio Committees of Police and Justice to investigate the allegations of corruption and political interference made by Mkhwanazi. DA MP and deputy spokesperson on police Lisa Schickerling said the proposal for a joint inquiry was the best alternative to an ad hoc committee. 'The DA believes that Parliament can no longer rely on these institutions to police themselves. A formal parliamentary inquiry is essential to uncover the truth, establish accountability, and restore integrity to the criminal justice system,' she said. The push for snap debate comes as some parties want an independent judicial commission, while others have asked the Public Protector to investigate.
The South African
6 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
All eyes on MaMkhize: Construction mafia, SARS officer 'hit', and more
Controversial businesswoman Shauwn Mhize – also known as MaMkhize – has been thrust into the spotlight once again following a damning report by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. And many South Africans are 'connecting the dots' about the flamboyant woman's sketchy past, which includes bribery, corruption, and tax evasion. Some are even calling out the reality TV star and former PSL club boss for being allegedly linked to the assassination attempt of a SARS official, who had been investigating her case. On Monday, 7 July, MaMkhize topped the X trends list after KZN police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkwanazi and Police Portfolio Committee chairperson linked her relations to alleged corrupt businessman Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala and Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, who has been accused of having ties to the underworld. Here's a look behind the headlines… 'Construction mafia' In August last year, MaMkhize – the CEO of the Zikhulise Group, which deals in the construction, cleaning, maintenance, and transport sectors – confessed to 'collaborating with construction mafia'. Speaking to the SABC from a Women in Construction event in Durban, she said: 'As much as there are construction mafias, it is very important to collaborate. I've been in the industry for more than 20 years, with the construction mafia involved. 'But what I do is I sit down [with them]. It's a cry for help. You need to understand what they need, and you collaborate. I've done it. I've built quite a lot of people that are coming from construction mafias, which I call business forums'. She continued: 'They've never given me problems. We must look at them as enemies. We must listen, hear them out, and meet each other halfway. That's how I've done it'. Hit on SARS official? A year ago, MaMkhize's name trended in relation to an assassination attempt on a SARS advocate assigned to a R37 million investigation into her companies. In a statement, SARS revealed that Coreth Naudé was shot three times in her car after she arrived at her hotel in Umhlanga, Durban. Commissioner Edward Kieswetter said the shooting was a deliberate assassination attempt on their official, who had been investigating high-profile cases. According to EWN, this included MaMkhize's unpaid taxes saga. THAT Carte Blanche interview A few months earlier, MaMhize appeared in an interview with Carte Blanche , which she later stormed out of. The businesswoman was questioned about benefiting from over R1 billion in government tenders over a period of 20 years. However, MaMkhize denied that any of her business had materialised from her political connections, particularly from her late mom, Florence Mkhize, an ANC stalwart. She said, 'Why can't people look at me as a young black woman who has worked very hard, who has pushed boundaries and opened doors?' She added: 'I will never entertain the noise of the world. I live in my own world with my own rules'. When asked why she had evaded tax amid a luxurious lifestyle, the 49-year-old seemingly became defensive. 'Tax matters are personal. I don't have to divulge what my problems were'. Last year, MaMkhize was slapped with a R37 million tax bill relating to her business empire. As a result, SARS filed a court application to seize 13 high-end vehicles owned by Shandi Trust and Royal AM football club, of which the reality TV star holds a majority stake. The cars have since been auctioned off. The publication added that MaMkhize was also ordered to pay R12 million in her personal capacity to SARS. MaMkhize has been linked to alleged ties with criminally accused Vusimusi Cat Matlala and Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu. Images via X During a police raid of her La Lucia home last year, law enforcement uncovered a cache of licensed firearms and ammunition, allegedly belonging to tenderpreneur Vusi 'Cat' Matlala. In 2012, IOL reported that MaMkhize faced 119 counts of tax fraud, amounting to up to R5 million, for submitting fake invoices. She later blamed the oversight on her bookkeeper, Kishal Reddy, who pleaded guilty while she pleaded not guilty. According to Mail & Guardian , she was also charged with corruption for allegedly trying to persuade a state witness in one of her tax fraud cases to tamper with evidence. All charges were later withdrawn, and Shauwn walked out of the court as a free woman. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
eNCA
30-06-2025
- Politics
- eNCA
Committee wants Section 34 probe into SAPS officials
JOHANNESBURG - Parliament's Police Portfolio Committee is turning up the heat on senior officials in the South African Police Service (SAPS) implicated in an alleged corruption scandal. The committee is pushing for Section 34 inquiries into the head of Police Crime Intelligence, Dumisani Khumalo, and six of his colleagues. They're accused of playing a role in fraudulent appointments within SAPS's powerful Crime Intelligence Unit. Their court appearance relates to the appointment of a Technical Support System Manager. The Investigative Directorate Against Corruption alleges that the 30-year-old employee has no formal qualifications required for the SAPS position. Committee Chairperson Ian Cameron says the law must take its course, but also determine accountability at the highest level. The officials appeared in the Pretoria magistrate's court on 27 June. All seven are facing charges of fraud and corruption. Six of the accused, including Khumalo, were granted bail of R10,000 each. A seventh accused, Philani Lushaba, faces a pending corruption case and has to reapply for bail under a Schedule 6 offence. The others face a schedule 5 offence as they have no other cases.
