Ramaphosa establishes 5th commission of inquiry since becoming head of state

JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa has established his fifth commission of inquiry since becoming head of state, leading to some opposition parties accusing him of indecisive leadership.

On Sunday, Ramaphosa announced he was setting up a judicial commission of inquiry to look into corruption allegations within the top brass of the country’s law enforcement agencies.

ALSO READ: Ramaphosa puts Mchunu on leave of absence, inquiry to probe Mkhwanazi's allegations

This follows bombshell allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of a criminal syndicate embedded in the country’s police, judiciary, business and political class.

When Ramaphosa became president in 2018, he established three commissions of inquiry.

In 2025, he established two.

While the state capture commission was established by President Jacob Zuma, it ran entirely under Ramaphosa’s presidency.

Reactions from political parties have focused on how these commissions have cost the state a lot of money without much return.

GOOD Party secretary general Brett Herron said the government already has in-house institutions like the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), whose mandate is to investigate corruption.

“The appointment of a commission of inquiry, while well-intentioned, is too slow, too cumbersome, and too costly. We’ve walked this road before, most notably with the Zondo commission, and we have seen a commission of inquiry cannot replace a criminal investigation.”

Ramaphosa said the South African Police Service (SAPS) commission will have to provide interim reports on the first three and six months of its work.