In a landmark parliamentary testimony, the Acting Police Minister breaks his silence, backing General Mkhwanazi as a potential whistle-blower while condemning the political decisions that he says left the country vulnerable.
CAPE TOWN – Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has unequivocally declared the 2009 disbandment of the elite crime-fighting unit, the Scorpions, a “mistake,” telling Parliament that the severe organised crime and corruption problems South Africa faces today are a direct consequence of that decision.
Testifying before the ad hoc committee investigating the infiltration of a drug cartel into law enforcement, Cachalia delivered his most comprehensive public remarks since taking office, outlining a vision for tackling what he called an “existential threat” to the nation.
A Historic Blunder with Lasting Consequences
Referring to the Scorpions, Cachalia stated, “It had a lot of success… but… there was pushback… and then we disbanded that institution. I think that this was a mistake, and we can see that clearly… given where we are now and the problems we’re facing now.”
The Scorpions, a multidisciplinary unit within the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), was famously disbanded in 2009 under political pressure, a period that preceded the rampant looting of the state during the era of State Capture. Cachalia’s comments lend official weight to long-held criticisms that dissolving the unit crippled the country’s ability to fight high-level corruption.
On Mkhwanazi: Coup Fears vs. Whistle-blower Praise
The Minister also addressed the dramatic press conference by KZN Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi that triggered the current crisis. Cachalia admitted that his initial reaction to seeing Mkhwanazi in “full military regalia” was one of deep concern, even confessing, “It conjured up images in my mind of a coup d’état.”
However, he presented a nuanced conclusion, stating that if Mkhwanazi’s allegations of cartel infiltration are proven true, “he would have been vindicated… in that sense he would have been shown to be a whistle-blower.” He later described Mkhwanazi as “among the most impressive” officers in his presentations to the inquiry.
A New Strategy and a Critique of Predecessors
Cachalia revealed that a new organised crime strategy is being tested in the Western Cape and three other provinces. He pointedly criticised his predecessor, Senzo Mchunu, calling his decision to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) “unwise” and questioning whether it was done “the right way.”
While he praised the establishment of the new Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (Idac) as an “important step forward,” he expressed doubt that it was yet ready to deliver on its promise, hinting at the immense challenges that remain in rebuilding South Africa’s corruption-busting capacity.
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