Police
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia is under scrutiny before the parliamentary ad-hoc committee following the suspension of Senzo Mchunu. He is being questioned about alleged interference in the work of the Political Killings Task Team and his role in returning case dockets.
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia appeared before Parliament’s ad-hoc committee Wednesday, where he faced intense questioning over alleged interference in police operations. The session follows the placement of Minister Senzo Mchunu on special leave, placing Cachalia in the hot seat.
At the hearing, MPs and the evidence leader pressed him on his role in the return of some 121 dockets to the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), and whether he exercised special influence over the team’s work. The formation of the committee and the scrutiny of Cachalia reflect mounting concerns among lawmakers about political meddling in criminal investigations.
The committee room buzzed with tension as opposition members grilled Cachalia on his decision-making, his past as a law professor, and his capacity to steer the country’s policing agenda at a time of high stakes. He acknowledged the committee’s mandate and pledged cooperation, but opponents remained unconvinced, warning of deep-rooted institutional damage.
As South Africa looks for stability in its policing and accountability mechanisms, this hearing is seen as a pivotal moment for both Cachalia and the government’s credibility in confronting political crime and corruption.
