“Ramaphosa & Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police Must Testify at Madlanga Commission” Ndlozi

The Madlanga Commission hearings have been focussing on the failings of governance and political violence in South Africa. As a result of these hearings, there has been an increasing number of calls for the testimony of President Cyril Ramaphosa and the whole Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police, especially its chairperson. The dissolution of the Political Killings Task Team, which is an elite team that was created to investigate politically motivated homicides that have become a problem in KwaZulu-Natal and other provinces, is at the core of the dispute.

Dr. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, a former member of parliament for the EFF and current PowerFM host, has brought greater attention to topics that have not yet received answers. President Ramaphosa needs to clarify whether Minister Senzo Mchunu notified him of the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team. If such is the case, what caused him to give his assent? Ndlozi was adamant about this point throughout his discussion.

There is already testimony that has been presented to the Commission indicating that the highest levels of the government were involved in the disbandment, which indicates that it was not a simple operational issue. The task team would not be able to function without a deadline for an unlimited period of time, which is the justification that Mchunu provides for his choice in a video that has received a great deal of attention. He additionally minimises the reasoning behind the unit, claiming that the deaths were routine criminal activities rather than acts of politically motivated violence. Mchunu further claims that he discussed the matter with President Ramaphosa, who is claimed to have given his blessing to the decision—even though the unit reported to a ministerial structure rather than the presidency.

The Parliamentary Police Portfolio Committee’s position is called into doubt by this new information. It is stated that Khehla Sitole Mkhwanazi, who was the police commissioner at the time, notified the committee about the dissolution of the task team during a briefing that took place years ago. Members of Parliament (MPs) did not investigate potential executive intervention in police operations when Mchunu argued that the decision was made in collaboration with the president. This, they contend, amounts to Parliament avoiding its constitutional responsibility to hold the executive branch accountable.

It is currently being demanded by civil society groups, political analysts, and opposition parties that the Committee be recalled prior to the Commission. “What prevented them from arguing against the narrative that these were simply criminal activities?” “Why did they fail to insist on candour from the executive?” one analyst enquired.

The Commission is likely to consider whether such lapses in oversight contributed to the environment of impunity that surrounds killings of political figures. For the relatives of victims, the issue is not about the procedure; it is about the delay in the administration of justice. As the hearings continue to progress, the attention of the public is increasingly turning to both Parliament and Ramaphosa. South Africans are seeking clarification regarding whether the state took action to safeguard democracy or if it moved to undermine it.