In 2007, the ANC held its 52nd national conference in Polokwane. This is when political interference in the South African Police Service became more prevalent, according to former acting national commissioner Khomotso Phahlane, who was dismissed years ago. Former acting national police boss Khomotso Phahlane, who was fired and accused of corruption, says political interference in the South African Police Service (SAPS) escalated nearly two decades ago.
Phahlane, who insists he has been the target of a campaign to discredit him, detailed his stance on political meddling on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, while testifying before Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating accusations that a drug cartel has infiltrated South Africa’s criminal justice system, politics, and private security. “Political interference in the South African Police Service became more prevalent following the 2007 Polokwane conference.” Phahlane was referring to the ANC’s 52nd National Conference, whereJacob Zuma was elected the party’s president. Zuma subsequently became head of state between 2009 and 2018, a period that coincided with State Capture when the country’s law-enforcement structures, as well as the South African Revenue Service, were intentionally weakened.
Parliament’s ad hoc committee is now investigating another set of accusations that point towards capture. KwaZulu-Natal police boss Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleged in July last year that a cartel had infiltrated the country’s policing and politics. The ad hoc committee began its hearing in October last year and, following a break over the holiday period, resumed on Wednesday.
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Part of an affidavit that Phahlane submitted to the committee added to his testimony about political interference. It said that after the 2007 ANC conference in Polokwane, some police officers, “especially those with struggle credentials” who fought apartheid and who were integrated from non-statutory forces (former political organisations), “revealed their allegiance/loyalty to political formations and/or leaders”.
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