By Johnathan Paoli
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has joined calls for the urgent establishment of an independent judicial commission of inquiry.
This follows serious allegations of corruption, collusion, and criminal syndicate ties leveled against senior officials in the South African Police Service (SAPS), judiciary, and correctional services made by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on Sunday.
COSATU’s Parliamentary Coordinator, Matthew Parks, warned that the integrity of the entire criminal justice system is at stake, stressing that such grave allegations must not go unaddressed by South Africans.
“While we acknowledge President [Cyril] Ramaphosa’s appeal for calm, this matter demands urgent and independent investigation. The allegations, if proven true, point to systemic rot that could fatally erode public trust in our democratic institutions,” Parks said.
The explosive allegations made by Mkhwanazi have sent shockwaves across the country, sparking strong reactions from civil society, political leaders, and faith-based organisations.
COSATU reaffirmed its support for rank-and-file officers, stressing that the alleged misconduct of a few should not tarnish the reputation of the many dedicated law enforcement personnel who risk their lives daily to uphold the rule of law.
The South African Council of Churches (SACC) echoed COSATU’s concerns, warning that the allegations, particularly those implicating Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, signal a potential moral and institutional collapse.
In a strongly worded statement, SACC General Secretary Mzwandile Molo said the Church was “deeply alarmed” by Mkhwanazi’s disclosures and called for the immediate suspension of all implicated individuals pending an independent and impartial investigation.
“It is troubling to entertain the thought that someone entrusted to lead the fight against crime may be enabling it instead. This is not just a governance crisis. It is a spiritual and moral one,” Molo stated.
The SACC urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to move swiftly and to protect whistleblowers, like Mkhwanazi, who demonstrate rare courage in exposing wrongdoing.
The council also warned that the collapse of trust between SAPS leadership and its members risks destabilising public safety at a time when violent crime is at endemic levels.
African Transformation Movement (ATM) leader Vuyo Zungula has lodged a formal complaint with the Public Protector, calling for an urgent investigation into Mchunu’s alleged links to organised crime networks.
Zungula described the matter as “an ethical and legal emergency” and urged constitutional watchdogs to act swiftly and decisively.
“If such interference is allowed without consequence, the public’s faith in the rule of law will be destroyed,” he said, urging the Public Protector to protect transparency and uphold executive accountability.
The National Freedom Party (NFP) has added its voice to the growing chorus of concern, calling for a full parliamentary inquiry—distinct from criminal proceedings—into allegations of deep-rooted corruption within the state.
NFP President Irvin Barnes said Parliament must investigate the extent of collusion between senior state officials, organised crime, and systemic corruption, particularly as KwaZulu-Natal continues to grapple with ongoing political assassinations.
“These allegations threaten to further erode the already fragile credibility of institutions tasked with upholding law and order. The President cannot allow party-political interests to shield those who are undermining our democracy,” Barnes warned.
The NFP also urged KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to lay formal criminal charges against the implicated individuals, arguing that only through transparent and rigorous prosecution can public trust in state institutions be restored.
In a new twist, News24 has reported that alleged crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala—reportedly close to Minister Mchunu—also had ties to former Police Minister Bheki Cele. According to the report, Cele stayed in a luxury Pretoria penthouse rented and paid for by Matlala six months ago.
Newzroom Afrika is reportedly investigating Matlala’s background, amid growing speculation about the extent of criminal infiltration within the upper echelons of government.
Matlala has been linked to cross-border drug cartels using South African ports as distribution hubs across the region, adding an international dimension to an already explosive domestic scandal.
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