DA Slams Delays in SAPS Corruption Probe: “This Is Not a Platform to Grandstand”
Viable News Team 
CAPE TOWN — The Democratic Alliance (DA) has issued a sharp rebuke over delays in finalising the terms of reference for Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating serious allegations of corruption and criminal infiltration within the South African Police Service (SAPS). The opposition party warns that the stalled progress risks undermining the integrity and effectiveness of the entire inquiry.
At the heart of the dispute is a nearly week-long delay by Parliament’s Legal Services, which was expected to present the draft terms of reference more than two weeks ago. According to Ian Cameron, DA spokesperson on policing and a member of the committee, the delay has already had significant ripple effects, compressing the investigation timeline from the originally planned three months to just over two.
Cameron, known for his no-nonsense approach to police oversight, expressed deep frustration at what he describes as avoidable administrative hold-ups and political posturing.
“This entire process was meant to begin with urgency, yet we’re already on the back foot,” said Cameron. “A four-day delay may sound minor, but in a committee tasked with investigating corruption at the highest levels of law enforcement, every day matters.”
The committee was formed in response to explosive allegations by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who stated publicly that criminal syndicates have infiltrated the criminal justice system a claim that has shaken public confidence in SAPS and triggered widespread calls for a full-scale parliamentary inquiry.
Monday’s committee meeting initially scheduled for four hours stretched into a marathon 10-hour session, as members debated and finally reached consensus on the draft terms of reference. While consensus was eventually achieved, Cameron questioned the sincerity of the process, suggesting that some members may be more focused on political theatre than on delivering results for the South African public.
“When you walk into that room, you are meant to effectively take off your political party hat because now you are a representative of Parliament conducting a specific investigation,” he said. “This is not the time to score political points or deliver monologues. We owe the public more than drawn-out debates and posturing.”
Cameron stressed that while diverse political views are critical to the functioning of Parliament, they should not be allowed to delay or dilute the committee’s mandate, especially when dealing with issues as grave as corruption within SAPS.
“This committee is investigating whether criminal syndicates are influencing or even controlling parts of our justice system. There is no room for gamesmanship or delay,” he said. “Respect for the public means moving efficiently and transparently.”
The DA is now calling on all political parties to commit to a focused, non-partisan investigation, warning that any further delays could derail the purpose of the committee altogether. The opposition party is also pushing for stricter deadlines and greater accountability from Parliament’s internal services, including legal and administrative support.
The gravity of the committee’s work cannot be overstated. Allegations of deep-seated corruption within SAPS, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal, have raised alarms across the country. If true, they would point to a dangerous erosion of public trust in law enforcement and an urgent need for institutional reform.
Cameron concluded by reiterating that the committee’s mandate must be taken seriously, not only by Parliament, but by the broader political establishment.
“If we fail to do this work properly on time and without political interference we will send a devastating message to the people of South Africa: that their safety and justice can be delayed and debated, but never delivered. That’s not a message I’m willing to accept.”
With time already slipping away, the committee now faces a tighter-than-expected schedule to carry out its critical investigation one that could expose systemic corruption at the very heart of South Africa’s law enforcement structure.
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