Africa-Press – South-Africa. News24 Editor-in-Chief Adriaan Basson, in his latest piece, referring to the Madlanga Commission, says it’s not yet possible to tell the “good cops” from the “bad cops”.
His latest offering explores the recent developments coming from the Madlanga Commission and a Parliamentary ad hoc committee looking into allegations of corruption within the South African Police Service (SAPS).
He told CapeTalk’s John Maytham that he penned the article after getting a sense that South Africans wanted clarity around who the “good guys” were versus the “bad guys”.
But we don’t have the answer yet, he says.
“It’s just too early.”
Basson cited as “not particularly helpful” the questions so far from parliamentarians.
Moreover, he said, some of the critical players had yet to give their testimony.
“We’ve heard a hell of a lot from [Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi], but we haven’t heard from Senzo Mchunu, who’s mounting a massive legal campaign.”
The Madlanga Commission and Parliament’s ad hoc committee are examining allegations of corruption, misconduct, and factionalism within the SAPS.
It’s putting South Africa’s top cop under the microscope following on from the explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police chief, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, during a press conference in July.
Mkhwanazi alleges that high-profile individuals, including politicians and police officials, are involved with criminal syndicates that interfere with police work.
He named Senzo Mchunu and Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya as those working with a syndicate to cover up high-profile investigations in the province.
He said the criminal syndicate is linked to the drug trade, and with questionable business people involved in organised crime.
Basson hopes the commission and the parliamentary probe will have an impact on the future of the police service.
“I hope that out of this will come some structural, fundamental recommendations that could blow up the entire police structure, because something is wrong.”
To listen to Adriaan Basson in conversation with John Maytham on CapeTalk’s Afternoon Drive show, use the audio below:
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