WATCH | Deputy Police Minister faces questions on corruption and task team disbandment | SAPS Inquiry
Police Ministry Under Scrutiny: Deputy Police Minister Polly Boshielo to give evidence before parliament.
Image: South African Government
Deputy Minister of Police Dr Paulina Shela Boshielo is testifiying before Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations of political interference in the police.
Her appearance marks a significant development in the ongoing inquiry into the internal workings and alleged political meddling within the police ministry.
Boshielo’s testimony comes just days after her counterpart, Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale, revealed to Parliament that he has yet to be assigned specific responsibilities despite holding the post for over a year.
During her appearance, Dr Boshielo is expected to provide insight into the complex internal dynamics of the police ministry.
Her testimony is anticipated to address issues involving the suspended Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu, who has been at the center of controversies, as well as the operations and legitimacy of the politically sensitive Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).
She is expected to shed light on how the ministry functions under the stewardship of multiple deputy ministers and the challenges that arise from this structure.
The Ad Hoc Committee’s investigation continues with acting police Minister Firoz Cachalia scheduled to appear on Wednesday to respond to the committee’s queries on the department’s leadership and management amidst these fraught circumstances.
Following this, Advocate Andrea Johnson, head of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption, will testify on Thursday and Friday.
The Ad Hoc Committee, chaired by Soviet Lekganyane, began its hearings on 7 October 2025.
Mkhwanazi was the first to appear, presenting explosive claims of deep-rooted infiltration and corruption within South African law enforcement.
He was followed by National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola, Mchunu; former Police Minister Bheki Cele; suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya; and Deputy Police Minister Cassel Mathale.
The committee’s work is set to conclude by the end of November 2025, marking an intense and critical inquiry into the integrity of the SAPS and the role of political oversight.
thabo.makwakwa@inl.co.za
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