South African church group holds day of prayer following damning police corruption allegations: 'fight for the soul of our nation'

The South African Community of Faith-Based Fraternals (SACOFF), which represents nearly 20,000 churches and 225 organizations nationwide, called for a National Day of Prayer on Wednesday, July 23, as part of its campaign to “fight for the soul of our nation” amid explosive allegations of high-level police corruption and political interference.

SACOFF president Pastor Bert Pretorius said the prayer initiative forms a critical part of the organization’s broader action plan in response to allegations by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who accused Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and other senior officers of corruption, obstructing justice, and colluding with criminal networks.

Consequently, President Cyril Ramaphosa formed a judicial commission of inquiry in response to the allegations, a move that SACOFF welcomed as a first step in establishing the veracity of the claims by PC Mkwanaza. In a statement, Pastor Pretorius affirmed the commission as a "necessary intervention to restore trust and integrity in the justice system." Furthermore, they acknowledged that the independence of the commission, under the leadership of Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, is an "encouraging sign."

The association has advocated for “interim accountability” and the “full protection” and adequate resourcing of law-enforcement units and the “brave officials” who daily risk their lives investigating political corruption, criminal syndicates, and unsolved political murders.

Pretorius issued a stern warning that the commission must not devolve into a mere “waiting room for justice.” Instead, he passionately declared, "It must be a war room for truth.”

"This is not just a political scandal," Pastor Pretorius told eNCA news outlet. "This is a national moral crisis. We are talking of 120 politically-motivated murders that were being investigated and were shut down."

Pretorius emphasized SACOFF’s commitment to closely monitor the commission’s progress and public engagement, stating unequivocally that “the integrity of the process will be judged by results, not rhetoric. We are dealing with a systemic sabotage of our justice system."

In a comprehensive media statement, SACOFF highlighted the failures of previous presidential commissions that had failed to deliver justice despite millions of Rands poured in the inquiries. SACOFF lamented that these substantial funds, which “could have built hospitals, staffed rural clinics, equipped schools with toilets, and built churches that serve the people,” have instead “too often served only to delay accountability”.

The association demanded that those implicated, including other high-ranking South African Police Service (SAPS) officials, judiciary, and other officials in different security dockets be placed on leave immediately, and all affected dockets be referred to the independent Special Investigation Unit, ensuring they are “free from political interference.”

President Ramaphosa placed Police Minister Mchunu on compulsory leave pending the outcome of the commission.

While acknowledging that the three- and six-month deadlines for more complex allegations are “appropriate and necessary,” SACOFF insisted that “interim accountability and protection mechanisms must be in place during this period.”

They made an urgent appeal to President Ramaphosa to ensure “full protection and resourcing” for law enforcement units that courageous risk their lives daily to investigate political corruption, criminal syndicates, and unsolved political murders.

While SACOFF had indicated that the details of the National Day of Prayer would be released earlier, it wasn't clear if the prayer day happened on Wednesday July 23 as planned.