By: Zilungile Mkhize
Deputy Minister of Police Polly Boshielo has commended newly appointed Police Minister Firoz Cachalia for swiftly assigning her formal duties within just a week of taking office.
Boshielo was speaking before Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating alleged criminal infiltration in the justice system. She told MPs that Minister Cachalia’s approach marked a sharp contrast to that of his predecessor, Senzo Mchunu, who took almost a year to allocate responsibilities to his deputy and other senior staff.
“Minister Cachalia was decisive and clear about what he expected from me,” Boshielo told the committee. “It shows leadership and a sense of urgency about restoring stability and credibility to the police service.”
The deputy minister explained that her new duties focus on community policing, improving coordination between national and provincial law enforcement, and supporting anti-corruption initiatives within the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Cachalia, a former Gauteng Safety and Security MEC and constitutional law expert, was appointed in July 2025 following the suspension of Mchunu amid allegations of corruption and political interference in policing structures. His appointment came at a time when public confidence in the police has been strained by persistent crime levels, allegations of organised criminal networks within law enforcement, and growing concerns about accountability.
The ad hoc committee, chaired by Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach, is probing claims that elements of organised crime have penetrated the justice, crime prevention and security (JCPS) cluster. The inquiry has heard testimonies from several senior officials in the police and intelligence sectors.
Boshielo’s remarks were seen by some MPs as a signal of renewed cooperation within the ministry, which has faced criticism in recent years for leadership instability and policy drift.
