SAPS crisis: Religious organisation calls for urgent action from Ramaphosa

With all eyes on President Cyril Ramaphosa as South Africans countdown to his address to the nation on Sunday evening, the South African Community of Faith-Based Fraternals (SACOFF) has joined the growing calls for immediate action by the president.

SACOFF President, Pastor Bert Pretorius, issued a statement saying the umbrella body of faith-based organisations headquartered in Centurion was “deeply disturbed” by the recent public allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, implicating Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu in serious acts of interference, political intimidation, and unlawful action.

“These claims, made by a senior and respected law enforcement officer raise grave concerns about the independence of the police service, the rule of law, and the political will to uphold constitutional accountability,” Pretorius said in the statement.

He said the allegations must not be dismissed as they speak to political pressure to manipulate police operations, a culture of intimidation and “backroom coercion”, and systemic risk to public confidence in the criminal justice system.

“These are not matters of internal dispute; they represent a crisis of governance and trust, particularly in a country already overwhelmed by rising crime, corruption, and public disillusionment.”

Pretorius said SACOFF’s position was that it strongly condemns any form of political interference in law enforcement and believes that the rule of law must remain “sacred” and independent of political manipulation. It calls on Ramaphosa to “act decisively and transparently” – which includes temporary leave for implicated parties, appointing a judicial commission of inquiry and “designating” the Public Protector to handle the matter with urgency, and ensuring parliamentary oversight and public updates throughout the investigative process.

Additionally, SACOFF urges all faith communities and civil society organisations to “remain alert, prayerful, and vocal in demanding justice, truth, and integrity in public office”.

“The Church will not remain silent while the integrity of our justice system is threatened. We stand with every courageous voice that speaks out against wrongdoing. We are calling on President Ramaphosa to take bold, visible action — not for political survival, but for the sake of our nation’s soul,” he said.

Since his return from Brazil in the past couple of days, Ramaphosa has remained guarded about Mkhwanazi’s bombshell media briefing over the weekend. His televised address to the nation, where some light is expected to be shed about action to be taken to address the crisis in the South African Police Service, is scheduled for 7pm on Sunday, July 13.