SAPS Inquiry Committee sends preliminary report back for revisions

By Johnathan Paoli

Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating allegations of criminality, political interference and institutional failures within the South African Police Service (SAPS) has ordered further revisions to its preliminary report, with MPs calling for stronger and more unequivocal findings before it is released to affected parties.

Meeting virtually on Tuesday, the committee deliberated on the second draft of the report following months of public hearings into allegations involving suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, senior SAPS leaders, Crime Intelligence and other law enforcement institutions.

While members broadly endorsed the report’s structure and recommendations, several argued that its findings had been softened and did not adequately reflect the evidence presented during the inquiry.

Committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane acknowledged that further work was required before the report could be adopted.

“This was the second draft preliminary report. And from the inputs that members have made, it’s very evident that we will still