Madlanga Commission: Parliament's oversight failure on police meddling

SAPS expert, Maj-Gen. Patronella Van Rooyen, said Parliament failed in its constitutional oversight role by ignoring allegations of political interference by KZN Police Commissioner, Lt-Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, months before his explosive media briefing in July.

- KAMOGELO MOICHELA

“The fact that the Portfolio Committee didn't act on that is, in my mind, a failure of their mandate,” she told the Madlanga Commission.

“Even if they initiated an investigation, called the management of the police to come and explain, that would already have been an exercise of oversight on their part to ensure that the matter received attention.”

Mkhwanazi made headlines on July 6, when - flanked by heavily armed tactical officers and wearing a Special Task Force uniform - he publicly accused Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of interfering in high-level investigations.