Ad Hoc Committee Calls for Saps’ Military Ranking System to Be Re-Evaluated

The Ad Hoc Committee to Investigate Allegations made by SAPS KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi yesterday extensively deliberated on the "militarisation" of the SAPS.

Committee members felt strongly that the long list of operational concerns within the SAPS cannot be separated from this militarisation. They suggested that it was high time for this to change.

The ranking systems used in the SAPS - like that in the military - were also highlighted as an issue of concern, with committee members recommending that Parliament should investigate the appropriateness of using military ranks in the police. Committee members were of the opinion that it is not acceptable, for example, for an administrative official to be referred to as a "general".

Committee member Ms Khusela Sangoni said that the systemic problems plaguing the SAPS cannot be separated from the broader questions relating to the organisational culture, command ethos and militarisation of the SAPS, which warrant parliamentary consideration.

This was supported by Ms Dianne Kohler Barnard, who supported the call for a change to the SAPS' systems and ethos. She emphasised that calling a police officer a general is unacceptable.

The committee also spent considerable time deliberating on the relationship between Mr Senzo Mchunu, who is currently on special leave from his position as the Minister of Police,, and alleged political fixer Mr Brown Mogotsi, especially Mr Mogotsi's proximity to sensitive information. The relationship between Minister Mchunu, Mr Mogotsi and alleged tender-preneur, Mr Cat Matlala - who allegedly paid for a table at the African National Congress's 8 January celebrations in Cape Town - also came under the spotlight.

The deliberations will continue this evening.

Rajaa Azzakani

10 September 2026