SAPS concerns laid bare in testimonies, says ActionSA’s Dereleen James

ActionSA’s Dereleen James said that the testimonies they have heard have not come as a surprise. ActionSA’s Dereleen James remarked that the testimonies heard by Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee regarding allegations against SAPS KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi were anticipated, as many MPs have long been aware of the state of State Security. Her comments came during the committee’s proceedings, where Lieutenant-General Francinah Vuma, former deputy national commissioner for Support Services, testified on Wednesday.

Vuma was suspended in 2022 and retired in January 2026. She told the committee that the allegations formed part of a protected disclosure document she submitted to President Cyril Ramaphosa, in which she detailed alleged interference by former Police minister Bheki Cele and National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola. Lieutenant-General Francinah Vuma, who served as deputy national commissioner for Support Services and later Asset and Legal Management, testified on Wednesday.

When asked if the committee feels better placed at present as opposed to last month, James said: “I’m not even gonna say that we are in a better place than what we were. Some of us have known the state of State security for the longest time.