Cassel Mathale finally clears the air on Bheki Cele’s mysterious ‘inter-ministerial committee’
The Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee probing political interference in the South African Police Service (SAPS) questioned Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale about the structure and mandate of the so-called Inter-Ministerial Committee. Members sought clarity on former Police Minister Bheki Cele’s understanding of the committee and whether it was a team of individual ministers or a collection of government ministries.
Responding to the inquiry, Mathale stated that the committee was not yet formalised. “The committee has not been formally constituted, but investigations are still ongoing under the relevant departments,” he explained. His response appeared to highlight a broader lack of coordination within government structures tasked with addressing high-profile corruption and policing scandals.
The issue of the Inter-Ministerial Committee has been a recurring point of confusion throughout the hearings, with several officials offering conflicting accounts of its role and status. Some members of Parliament expressed concern that the absence of formalisation could undermine oversight and accountability in cases that require interdepartmental collaboration.
Mathale’s testimony comes amid intensifying scrutiny of the relationship between the Police Ministry and other state institutions following allegations of political meddling in police operations. The committee continues to seek clarity on the legal basis and oversight of ministerial decisions, including those made by suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu regarding the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team.
Analysts have noted that the lack of institutional clarity could further weaken public confidence in law enforcement and the state’s ability to confront organised crime and corruption.
The committee is expected to summon additional witnesses to clarify the mandate and composition of the Inter-Ministerial Committee in the coming sessions.
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