PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has described allegations of internal sabotage within the South African Police Service (SAPS) as a "grave national security concern".
This after a dramatic media briefing by KZN police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on Sunday, 6 July.
He alleged that a high-level police task team investigating political killings in the province was deliberately undermined internally within the SAPS.
According to him, the sabotage could involve senior police officials, prosecutors, judges, MPs, and members of the executive.
Ramaphosa, who is currently attending the BRICS Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has promised to take urgent action upon his return.
"This is a matter of grave national security concern that is receiving the highest priority attention. It is vital that the integrity of the country's security services is safeguarded and that the rule of law is affirmed," said Ramaphosa in a statement.
The president also urged restraint and discipline from all parties involved, warning that political mudslinging and institutional infighting risked eroding public confidence in law enforcement.
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"The trading of accusations and counteraccusations threatens to undermine public confidence and sow confusion. Furthermore, these actions damage the unity and focus of the police," he said.
The chairman of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, described the allegations as not only serious but potentially indicative of a systemic collapse within the SAPS.
"The allegations, if correct, have far-reaching implications on the effectiveness of the South African Police Service and require immediate attention," Cameron said.
He noted that the claims were especially damning given they came from a senior official like Mkhwanazi and that they echoed warnings the committee had raised earlier this year, including concerns over the closure of the Political Killings Task Team and a moratorium on Crime Intelligence appointments.
"If those saddled with the responsibility to drive strategies to combat crime are not working in tandem, then the entire organisation will not achieve shared goals.
"The president needs to lead by outlining a process to investigate the allegations and restore the credibility of the SAPS," Cameron warned.
He confirmed the committee will convene urgently to assess how best to proceed, including potentially summoning all key stakeholders to account for the allegations.
"What is clear is that Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi has taken great personal risk to make these allegations, and the committee, Parliament, and the people in general must demand answers."
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Police has taken a firm stance, rejecting Mkhwanazi's remarks as inappropriate and potentially damaging.
Ministry spokesman Kamogelo Mogotsi defended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, insisting that no one, regardless of rank, is above due process.
"The minister of police will never allow his integrity, that of the Ministry or SAPS at large, to be undermined by insinuations made without evidence or due processes, from anyone, including Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi.
"We will be reviewing the commissioner's statements and consider appropriate action. All these statements made by him in public require an urgent, thorough and transparent investigation, on a proper platform," he said.
