By Johnathan Paoli
The EFF has launched a scathing attack on acting police minister Firoz Cachalia, accusing him of political interference in the urgent work of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and of undermining investigations into political killings in KwaZulu-Natal.
The party’s spokesperson Sinawo Thambo slammed Cachalia for publicly questioning the decision by National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola to reinstate 121 case dockets to the KwaZulu-Natal Political Killings Task Team.
“Cachalia has used his first days in office not to strengthen the fight against crime, but to delay and frustrate it,” Thambo said.
“His approach is not only detached from the brutal realities of crime in South Africa but also amounts to a protection of criminals whether deliberate or not.”
The dockets, which include politically motivated murders, attempted murders and intimidation cases, had earlier been removed under the instruction of Deputy Commissioner for Crime Detection Shadrack Sibiya.
The controversy has been brewing for months.
In June, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi revealed that the removal of the dockets amounted to obstruction and linked the interference to former police minister Senzo Mchunu.
These explosive claims prompted president Cyril Ramaphosa to establish a judicial commission of inquiry into political interference within the criminal justice system.
On Thursday, during the 27th Interpol African Regional Conference, General Masemola announced that the dockets would be returned to the task team, describing the move as necessary to ensure that stalled investigations could finally proceed.
But Cachalia, who was appointed acting minister less than a month ago, voiced concern over the decision, saying he had requested a comprehensive report on the task team from the National Commissioner, a report he claims he has yet to receive.
Cachalia argued that decisions regarding the politically sensitive cases should not be taken ahead of the commission’s inquiry, a position the EFF described as “irrational, dangerous, and deeply irresponsible.”
“A commission of inquiry cannot replace police investigations. While the commission examines political interference, the police must continue their duty to investigate crime. To suggest that the return of 121 murder-related dockets should wait for the outcome of a commission gives reprieve to assassins, delays justice for victims and their families, and undermines the very purpose of the SAPS,” Thambo said..
The EFF further accused Cachalia of proving himself an “obstacle to justice” in just a few weeks in office, claiming that he had previously spoken out against police officers who use force to confront violent criminals and was now frustrating the fight against political violence.
The party’s sharp criticism reflects broader tensions between the political leadership of the police and the SAPS top brass.
Masemola’s decision to restore the dockets has been seen as a corrective step to ensure investigations into political killings, which have plagued KwaZulu-Natal for more than a decade, can move forward without further delay.
The EFF commended Masemola for “standing firm” in the face of interference and urged police officers across all ranks to resist political manipulation.
“We urge officers to speak out against Cachalia’s interference. Allowing this conduct to persist will embolden assassins who rely on delays and political shielding to avoid justice,” Thambo said.
Meanwhile, Cachalia’s office defended his decision, with spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi confirming that the acting minister had asked Masemola for a full report on the Political Killings Task Team.
Mogotsi reiterated that Ramaphosa had established a commission of inquiry on 13 July to probe Mkhwanazi’s allegations of political interference, and that the minister’s concern was that steps taken in advance of the commission’s work could complicate the process.
INSIDE POLITICS