At Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee on alleged criminal infiltration inside SAPS, Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and MK Party MP Vusi Shongwe got into a furious discussion. Shongwe pushed Cachalia to apologise to KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi for Cachalia’s previous remarks; the tape of the moment shows this happening. “Now that you’ve admitted that you were ignorant and confused about the subject at hand, would you care to apologise to General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi or provide some public clarification?”
The question was asked with some emphasis by Shongwe. But Cachalia would not budge, adamant that an apology was unnecessary. “No, I don’t feel the need to apologise for something that was not meant badly. That was not an insult, so I don’t apologise,” he responded with composure but determinedness.
“Since you’ve established that what you spoke about you didn’t know and you didn’t understand, would you take this opportunity maybe to apologize to General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi or clarify the matter in the public” MK Party MP Vusi Shongwe
“No there’s no need for me to apologize… pic.twitter.com/njz14vWTHD
— News Live SA (@newslivesa) November 5, 2025
There were mutters in the room during the exchange, which showed how the commission’s work was causing increasing political and institutional difficulties. His recent comments and the Ministry’s handling of the explosive testimonies that have surfaced from the Madlanga Commission and Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee have put Cachalia under increasing scrutiny.
Witnesses claim that Shongwe’s inquiry mirrored a more widespread belief among the MK Party and other opposition benches that the Acting Police Minister has failed to demonstrate adequate openness or responsibility in his remarks regarding high-ranking SAPS officers.
“The inquiry has become deeply politicised,” pointed out political analyst Sandile Swana, referring to Chachalia’s refusal to apologise while recognising some misunderstanding. The emphasis has shifted from holding people accountable to protecting their positions.
All eyes are on Cachalia as the Ad Hoc Committee keeps working, as he faces increasing pressure from lawmakers seeking action, transparency, and responsibility. Is the minister’s unwillingness to apologise something you can get behind
