Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police has backed a proposal to place the South African Police Service Amendment Bill on hold until two major investigations into alleged criminality, corruption and political interference in the criminal justice system have been completed.
The committee’s position means the legislation will not proceed before the findings of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and Parliament’s ad hoc committee have been considered. Members believe that advancing the Bill now could force Parliament to reopen the process later if either investigation recommends changes to the proposed overhaul of the police service.
Committee wants a broader reform process
Committee chairperson Ian Cameron said the proposed withdrawal would allow lawmakers to assess the recommendations emerging from both processes before deciding how to proceed. The committee’s view is that reform of the SAPS should not be undertaken in isolated stages, particularly while investigations are examining the functioning of the police and other criminal justice institutions.
The Bill was introduced in June and was intended to bring changes to police governance. The committee said the SAPS was struggling to fulfil its mandate because of several factors, including inadequate resources. It also acknowledged that delays in finalising the legislation had affected the effective functioning of the police service.
However, lawmakers said continuing with the legislative process without first taking account of the investigations could lead to unnecessary expenditure. If the commission or the ad hoc committee proposes substantial changes, Parliament could be required to revise work already completed on the Bill, potentially duplicating the legislative process.
Investigations remain under way
The decision comes while the Madlanga Commission continues hearing evidence concerning alleged criminal networks, corruption and political interference involving the police and other parts of the criminal justice system. The inquiry’s work is therefore directly relevant to the committee’s consideration of how police governance should be structured and strengthened.
According to the commission’s latest deadline, its final report must be submitted to President Cyril Ramaphosa by 25 January 2027. The committee’s recommendation places the timing of the Bill against that deadline and signals that Parliament wants the inquiry’s findings to inform the next stage of the legislative process.
What the pause means
The committee’s position does not amount to a rejection of police reform. Rather, it reflects a preference for a comprehensive response to what it described as systemic challenges within the SAPS. The legislation could still proceed after the investigations, but its content and direction may be affected by their findings and recommendations.
- Immediate position: the committee supports putting the SAPS Amendment Bill on hold.
- Processes to be considered: the Madlanga Commission and Parliament’s ad hoc committee must complete their investigations.
- Key deadline: the commission’s report is due to the President by 25 January 2027.
- Reason for caution: proceeding now could require Parliament to revisit the Bill and result in additional expenditure.
| Process | Relevance to the Bill |
|---|---|
| Madlanga Commission of Inquiry | Investigating alleged criminal networks, corruption and political interference. |
| Parliament’s ad hoc committee | Conducting a related investigation whose findings could affect police reform. |
| Portfolio Committee on Police | Backing a pause before the legislation proceeds. |
The committee said the country needed broad and inclusive police reforms rather than piecemeal changes. Its recommendation places the future of the Bill within a wider debate about the capacity, governance and accountability of the SAPS, while leaving Parliament to determine the next legislative steps once the outstanding investigations have been finalised.
