Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police voiced sharp disapproval yesterday after both Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia and National Commissioner Fannie Masemola failed to attend a scheduled briefing on the annual report and audit outcomes of the South African Police Service (SAPS). Their absence was widely viewed as a breach of accountability during a period of heightened scrutiny for the country’s policing institutions.

Committee chairperson Ian Cameron opened the session by stressing the gravity of the oversight process, saying this is “probably one of the most important processes that we have on the calendar of this committee.” The meeting was meant to interrogate SAPS’s financial management, performance outcomes, and ongoing concerns about procurement irregularities.

Cameron made it clear that the no-show would not be taken lightly. “I will not sit here and be disregarded as a committee by the minister or the national commissioner for that matter,” he said, warning that the absence undermined the committee’s constitutional role and the broader credibility of parliamentary oversight.

He also questioned the priorities of the executive, noting that the country’s policing system is under strain and requires visible leadership. “SAPS is in crisis at the moment, but the minister chooses to go to cabinet this morning...no cabinet meeting can trump what is being discussed here today,” he said.

Cameron further reminded those present of Parliament’s independence and its duty to enforce accountability. “Parliament is not a branch of the presidency or below the presidency or a branch of cabinet. It’s an independent arm of the state and we’ve got a constitutional duty to hold the executive to account,” he added.

The committee adjourned and said that it expects both the Acting Minister and the National Commissioner to appear before it without further delay. Members warned that continued disregard for parliamentary proceedings would not be tolerated and noted that Parliament retains powers to compel attendance if necessary.