South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed a judicial commission of inquiry to test explosive allegations by KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi that senior politicians and police leaders have shielded organised-crime figures. The decision, announced on 15 July, comes amid mounting pressure on Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who has taken a leave of absence while the claims are investigated. Mkhwanazi triggered the crisis at a 6 July media briefing in Durban, saying Mchunu interfered in sensitive investigations and disbanded a special task team probing political killings. He also alleged that crime syndicates had infiltrated the South African Police Service and that some judges and prosecutors were complicit. The commissioner, flanked by heavily armed Special Task Force officers, told reporters he was prepared to ‘die in the fight against crime’ and has since reinforced security at his home. The governing African National Congress, through secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, welcomed the president’s “constitutionally sound” inquiry but urged that the matter be handled with urgency. Opposition parties offered mixed reactions: some warned that a commission could delay accountability, while others demanded immediate parliamentary oversight and protection for whistle-blowers. National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has asked Parliament’s police, justice and intelligence committees to craft a response. Meeting jointly on 16 July, the police and justice committees agreed to establish an ad hoc committee and set 22 July as the date to finalise its terms of reference, arguing that legislative scrutiny should proceed in parallel with the judicial process. Lawmakers cautioned that failure to address the accusations quickly could erode public confidence in law-enforcement. Demonstrators under the banner “Hands Off Mkhwanazi” have already taken to Durban’s streets, demanding protection for the commissioner and swift action against any officials found to have colluded with criminal networks.