Calls for the President to account in-person for South Africa’s alleged criminal justice capture

Pressure is mounting on President Cyril Ramaphosa to provide direct testimony before the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee investigating the alleged capture of South Africa’s criminal justice system.

The inquiry, sparked by explosive claims of criminal infiltration within law enforcement, has reached a critical juncture as its work reaches its tail-end.

Lawmakers, led by Chairperson Soviet Lekganyane, are now debating whether the Head of State must account in-person for the Executive’s role in the crisis.

The demand for the President’s appearance follows the July 2025 establishment of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga. 

The commission was formed after KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi publicly alleged that high-ranking officials and political “fixers” had successfully infiltrated the police service to protect criminal syndicates.

Central to the Ad Hoc Committee’s interest in the President is the controversial disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT). 

Testimony from senior police figures has suggested that the unit was making significant strides against organised crime before it was abruptly shut down, a move some whistleblowers claim required political “cover” from the highest levels of government.

The push for testimony

Committee members, have referred the President’s name to Parliament’s legal team to assess the necessity of his appearance. Proponents of the summons argue that only the President can clarify:

• Why critical investigative units were dismantled;

• Whether the Presidency received intelligence briefings regarding the “capture” of the police watchdog (IPID) and Crime Intelligence;

• The rationale behind the 2025 suspension of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who was sidelined following Mkhwanazi’s bombshell allegations.

The ANC’s stance

The African National Congress (ANC) has reacted with firm resistance to the idea of the President being cross-examined in a parliamentary committee. 

On February 2, 2026, ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli said that a sitting president should not be treated like “any other witness.”

The ruling party argues that calling the President without “materiality of facts” would turn the inquiry into a political “fishing expedition.” 

Instead, the ANC has signaled a preference for the President to provide written submissions, arguing that an in-person appearance would undermine the dignity of the office.

“I don’t think we should be treating him the same as others,” because of the weight of evidence, said Ntuli.

Opposition MPs took exception to this. EFF leader Julius Malema said that “we are not a committee established by the president, we can hold the president accountable.”

He added that Ntuli’s statement was “extremely dangerous.”

According to the ANC, the President ‘has already shown his commitment to accountability by establishing the Madlanga Commission.’

They added that forcing an oral testimony based on hearsay would be a bridge too far.

The tension comes as the Ad Hoc Committee nears its final deadline. Parliament has granted an extension until February 20, 2026, to finalise the report.

While the President recently welcomed the Madlanga Commission’s interim report, which recommended criminal investigations into 14 senior SAPS officials, some opposition parties remain skeptical. 

Critics argue that without the President’s testimony, the “capture” investigation will fail to address the systemic political interference that allowed these syndicates to thrive.

Chairperson Lekganyane announced that the President’s name has been referred to Parliament’s legal team.