Tag Archives: Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi

Nkabinde grilled at Ad Hoc Committee

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Picture: SAPS Chief of Staff, Christopher Nkabinde/Screengrab

By REGINALD KANYANE

13 November 2025 – The Ad Hoc Committee established to investigate allegations made by the KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has suspended its proceedings today following unsatisfactory testimony from Cedrick Nkabinde, Chief of Staff in the Office of the suspended Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu.

During the hearing, Nkabinde was unable to provide clarity on key matters, including the sequence of events relating to his contact with North West businessman, Brown Mogotsi. The committee found the evidence presented to be inconsistent and lacking in accuracy, particularly regarding matters that could have been easily verified through the Minister’s official diary.

The Chairperson of the Committee, Soviet Lekganyane stated that the quality of the witness’s evidence rendered it impossible for the committee to continue with the day’s proceedings. Lekganyane said the witness failed to provide clear and truthful responses to straightforward questions.

“Despite his senior position, he could not confirm basic calendar details and demonstrated no intention to be forthright with the committee. The committee resolved to discontinue the proceedings for the day and will consider rescheduling Nkabinde’s appearance at a later stage.

“The Parliamentary Legal Services team has been requested to advise on any potential consequences arising from the witness’s conduct before the committee,” he said.

Lekganyane further said the committee remains committed to executing its mandate in a thorough, fair and transparent manner. He added that they expect all witnesses appearing before them to uphold the highest standards of integrity and accountability.

“The work of this committee is undertaken in the interests of the people of South Africa, and we will not allow the process to be undermined by unprepared or untruthful testimony,” concluded Lekganyane.

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‘We cannot negotiate with criminals’

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

25 July 2025- Activists and Citizens Forum said it agrees and supports the Kwa-Zulu Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, when he said the police cannot negotiate with criminals who are busy challenging and undermining the authority of the police. The Forum said they commit heinous crimes such as cash-in-Transit heists, kidnappings, and shooting at police using heavy caliber firearms, killing police and innocent people.

The Activists and Citizens Forum spokesperson, Dennis Bloem said they cannot expect to be treated with kid gloves. Bloem said they were very concerned about media reports, reporting that the incoming acting Minister of Police, Firoz Chachalia, was allegedly saying that there must be a different and new approach on how to deal with crime.

“This is what Professor Chachalia reportedly said: “Giving the police licence to kill is not the answer to crime. I do not believe that Skiet, Skop en Donner brings down crime. What it does is criminalise the police because they then start acting unlawfully”.

“Unfortunately, we completely disagree with Chachalia on his approach and totally agree and support the approach that the police are applying in fighting these criminals – fighting fire with fire,” he said.

Bloem further said they believe what Mkhwanazi has started in KZN province by taking these criminals head-on. He added that it is bearing positive results all over the country.

“Criminals know now they have nowhere to hide. The latest successful operation was the Crown Mines Gauteng incident, where five Cash-in-Transit thugs were killed by police. We applaud the police with their recent successful operations.

“The police cannot do it alone without our support of the Public. It is our responsibility to assist the police in creating a safer country by helping the police with information if we know of any criminal activities,” said Bloem.

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NA agrees to establish Adhoc Committee on Mkhwanazi matter

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Picture: KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi

By BAKANG MOKOTO  

23 July 2025 – The National Assembly (NA), has today during its sitting, adopted the joint report of the Portfolio Committee on Police and the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development on wide-ranging allegations made by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, regarding security matters that have implications for the country’s national security.

Amid the NA Speaker’s request for the committees to consider, on an urgent basis, the wide-ranging allegations regarding security matters within their respective mandates, the committees have submitted the report within the stipulated time frame, set as no later than 23 July 2025.

The NA spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo said following the committees’ consideration of the matter, as part of their recommendations, they identified various issues arising from the allegations as falling within the NA’s accountability and oversight function. Mothapo  said the issues include, the alleged unlawful decision by Minister Senzo Mchunu to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), the alleged unlawful removal of 121 case dockets from the PKTT on the direction of the Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, the alleged moratorium by Mchunu on filling vacancies within the SAPS’ Crime Intelligence Unit, whether Mchunu misled Parliament about the nature of his relationship with Brown Mogotsi, whether the award of a R360 million contract to Vusimuzi Cat Matlala’s company for the provision of healthcare services to SAPS was irregular and the alleged interference by IDAC in police matters, including jurisdictional issues, among others.

“The committees proposed that an Ad Hoc Committee be established in accordance with NA Rule 253, stating that the scope of such a committee is task specific and time bound, contrary to the general oversight function of portfolio committees which, in contrast, is ongoing and often requires juggling competing priorities.

“The committees also recommended, without being prescriptive, that the House considers that should it resolve to establish an Ad Hoc Committee, the process to be concluded within ninety days of the committee being instituted – provided that the timeframe may be amended or extended if necessary,” he said.

Mothapo further said the committees proposed that the approach adopted ensures that the principle of separation of powers is respected throughout, the Ad Hoc committee be appropriately resourced, including having ready access to external forensic and legal advisory services, consideration be given to the possible need to provide for the protection of potential whistle-blowers on how best to facilitate public participation and transparency.

He added that, as far as possible, meetings should be conducted openly and whenever possible, broadcast on Parliament TV and on its social media channels.

“Consideration be given on how to ensure that the work of the Ad Hoc committee does not duplicate or overlap with the work of the inquiry/investigation simultaneously being undertaken by the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence and does not lead to conflicting outcomes.

“The committees further urged, as far as legally permissible, for continuous oversight of the work of the Commission of Inquiry and requests that the interim reports submitted to the President to also be made available to Parliament,” said Mothapo.

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Ad hoc committee on Mkhwanazi claims a vital first step toward police accountability

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Picture: KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi

By REGINALD KANYANE

16 July 2025- The Democratic Alliance (DA) said it welcomes the decision taken by the joint sitting of the Portfolio Committees on Police and Justice & Constitutional Development to establish an ad hoc committee to urgently investigate the serious allegations raised by the KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

DA Deputy Spokesperson on Police and Member of Parliament (MP), Lisa Schickerling said this is a crucial and long overdue step toward ensuring transparency, accountability and restoring public trust in South Africa’s law enforcement institutions. Schickerling said it also reflects Parliament’s constitutional duty to provide effective oversight particularly when allegations of such a serious nature emerge from within the senior ranks of SAPS.

“By establishing this committee, Parliament is signalling its commitment to swift action and meaningful accountability. We urged that clear terms of reference be finalised without delay, accompanied by a firm time-bound mandate to ensure that the truth is not buried beneath bureaucracy or derailed by political interference.

“South Africans deserve answers and transparency, and they deserve them quickly.

The DA reiterates that only a fearless and independent inquiry can begin to restore integrity within policing in South Africa. The rot within our law enforcement institutions can no longer be ignored, downplayed or swept under the rug,” she said.

Schickerling further said Parliament must now rise to the occasion and ensure that this committee delivers the accountability the country desperately needs. She added that they will monitor the progress of this ad hoc committee closely and continue to demand real action against those who have violated their oaths.

“South Africans are watching. And they deserve action not more empty promises,” said Schickerling.

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Ramaphosa to take action after explosive corruption allegations levelled against Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu and SAPS top brass

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Picture: RSA president, Cyril Ramaphosa

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

7 July 2025- The Portfolio Committee on Police said it has has noted the explosive allegations made by the KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, during a media briefing on Sunday. The committee said is of the view that the allegations are serious and require urgent attention from the Head of State.

The Chairperson of the Committee, Ian Cameron said the allegations, if correct, have far-reaching implications on the effectiveness of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and require immediate attention. Cameron further said the committee has long highlighted concerns over the rot within the SAPS, which impacts its ability to investigate acts of crime and bring the worrying crime statistics down.

“The allegations are noteworthy because they have been made by such a senior-ranking officer within the SAPS. During the media briefing held on 21 January 2025, I highlighted concerns over the lack of detail in the directive to close the Political Killings Task Team and the moratorium on the filling of vacancies within the Crime Intelligence (CI) environment, especially in the context of the centrality of CI in proactive crime prevention.

“The allegations are also worrying because they lay bare the strained working relationship among senior officers within the SAPS. If those saddled with the responsibility to drive strategies to combat crime are not working in tandem, then the entire organisation will not achieve shared goals,” he said.

Cameron said the President, Cyril Ramaphosa needs to lead by outlining a process to investigate the allegations and restore the credibility of the SAPS. He said the committee will meet to decide on the best process to look into the allegations and ensure accountability.

“This might include calling an urgent meeting with all relevant stakeholders to account for the allegations. What is clear is that Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi has taken great personal risk to make these allegations and the committee, Parliament, and the people in general must demand answers,” said Cameron.

Meanwhile, the Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement that, he has noted statements made in a media briefing by SAPS KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Ramaphosa said this is a matter of grave national security concern that is receiving the highest priority attention.

“It is vital that the integrity of the country’s security services is safeguarded and that the rule of law is affirmed. All parties to this matter are called upon to exercise discipline and restraint.

“The trading of accusations and counter-accusations threatens to undermine public confidence and sow confusion. Furthermore, these actions damage the unity and focus of the police,” he said.

Ramaphosa said he will outline the actions to be taken on this matter on his return from the BRICS Leaders’ Summit currently underway in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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