What allegations is Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi making?
Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi
The parliamentary investigation into high-profile allegations by Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi — the Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in KwaZulu-Natal — resumes today as the task-specific Ad Hoc Committee presses ahead with a complex inquiry into claims of police interference, criminal syndicate infiltration and misconduct at senior levels of law enforcement.
Mkhwanazi’s claims, first made publicly on 6 July 2025, suggest that senior SAPS figures, politicians and organised-crime syndicates may have conspired to undermine investigations into politically motivated killings and other major crimes. According to documents filed for the inquiry, the scope of the investigation includes:
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The alleged disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) in KwaZulu-Natal and the removal of more than 100 case-files from its docket.
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Claims that criminal cartels had infiltrated SAPS, the intelligence structures, the National Prosecuting Authority and possibly the judiciary.
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Allegations of political interference in recruitment moratoriums, the shielding of senior officers, and improper relationships between police officials and private individuals.
The Ad Hoc Committee, established under Rule 253 of the National Assembly, is chaired by Molapi Soviet Lekganyane and comprises members across the political spectrum. Its mandate is time-bound and designed to deliver a focused report.
In a recent session, national police chief Fannie Masemola testified before the committee, telling members of slow progress in dismantling entrenched syndicates and elaborating on the role of the Special Investigating Unit in lifestyle audits of senior management.
Today’s hearing comes amidst procedural tensions. For instance, opposition leader Julius Malema (of the
Pro-governance parties, including the
With the hearings continuing, today’s agenda reportedly includes the examination of further senior police witnesses and possibly senior political figures implicated in the original claim-chain. The outcome of this inquiry could have far-reaching implications for policing, governance and institutional credibility in South Africa.
Why this matters
The allegations brought by Mkhwanazi strike at the heart of public concerns over crime, corruption and institutional capture in South Africa. If proven, they would underscore significant failures in oversight, accountability and the independence of law-enforcement institutions. As political and public pressure mounts, the committee’s findings could reshape reform efforts in SAPS and related agencies.
FAQs
Q: What allegations is Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi making?
A: He alleges that criminal syndicates and corrupt officials infiltrated SAPS and allied agencies, that the Political Killings Task Team was undermined or disbanded to protect politically connected individuals, and that recruitment and investigations were manipulated for improper purposes.
Q: What is the role of the Ad Hoc Committee?
A: The committee was created by the National Assembly to investigate the allegations formally under Rule 253. It is time-bound and designed to perform a focused inquiry, including the power to summon witnesses, obtain documents and report back on whether the allegations hold merit.
Q: Who has already testified?
A: Witnesses so far include Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi himself, National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola and Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya. Upcoming witnesses are expected to include senior SAPS officials and senior politicians.
Q: What are the possible outcomes of this inquiry?
A: The committee could recommend disciplinary or criminal investigations, institutional reforms in SAPS, referrals to prosecuting authorities, or changes to oversight mechanisms. The process could also influence political accountability and public trust in policing.
Q: Is this inquiry the same as the judicial commission of inquiry?
A: No. While a judicial commission has been established separately (in response to the same underlying allegations), this parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee is a distinct oversight mechanism. Some parties have raised concern about duplication of effort.
