South African President Ramaphosa urged to testify in police corruption probe

A coalition of 16 civic organisations under the Progressive Civics Congress has asked the Madlanga Commission to summon President Cyril Ramaphosa to testify about his knowledge of alleged criminal infiltration and political interference in South Africa’s law‑enforcement and intelligence agencies. The request follows police commissioner Lieutenant‑General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s public allegations on 6 July 2025. The letter, signed by Mthunzi Luthuli and Rachel Makhubele, proposes 20 questions covering the frequency of intelligence briefings, the involvement of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, and why the president may not have acted on reported syndicate links.

In parallel, Portfolio Committee on Police Chair Ian Cameron highlighted that the South African Police Service employs over 700 senior officers at a cost of roughly R3.6 billion annually, with only five having undergone lifestyle audits. Cameron warned that despite this expenditure, frontline policing suffers, citing the under‑strength Cape Town Flying Squad, DNA backlogs, firearm‑licensing delays, and irregular spending. Both issues are being examined in testimony before the Madlanga Commission.