KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has rallied substantial public support following his explosive accusations against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and his deputy, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya.

Mkhwanazi’s allegations, made during a press briefing on Sunday, July 6, 2025, unveil a purported crime syndicate entwined with some of South Africa’s highest-ranking officials, including politicians, judges, and senior police officers.

The implications of Mkhwanazi’s revelations have been profound, stirring not only political tensions but also igniting grassroots movements demanding accountability.

Political parties across the spectrum have come together to advocate for the immediate suspension of Mchunu and Sibiya, citing their alleged roles in undermining police integrity and operational capabilities.

On Tuesday, July 8, community members of the Gansbaai, in the Western Cape, marched to the local police station to voice their support for Mkhwanazi.

In a similar vein, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) student command descended on the Durban University of Technology, voicing their backing for Mkhwanazi amid chants for justice. Notably, EFF Members of Parliament Sihle Lonzi and Naledi Chirwa joined the ranks of protesters, amplifying calls for structural reforms within the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The groundswell of support has manifested in a petition that has rapidly gained traction and amassed over 10,500 signatures on Wednesday evening and still counting. The petition not only seeks to safeguard Mkhwanazi, as a whistle-blower acting in the public interest, but also demands the establishment of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the labyrinth of corruption and political interference that Mkhwanazi has brought to light. Furthermore, it advocates for comprehensive structural reforms aimed at protecting SAPS officers who speak out against wrongdoing.

Amid mounting pressure, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola confirmed on Wednesday that Mkhwanazi has heightened security measures around his home due to multiple threats.

Asked if he is to take any action against Mkhwanazi, the national police commissioner said he was awaiting President Cyril Ramaphosa’s intervention. However, Masemola made it clear that he would not be persecuting Mkhwanazi.

The crux of Mkhwanazi’s allegations implicates Mchunu and Sibiya working together to dismantle a political killings task team unit. He alleged that the duo orchestrated the disbandment and subsequent locking away of pertinent case dockets, which reportedly link influential figures within government and law enforcement to a sordid web of criminal activity.

Mkhwanazi said the closure of the political task team unit, allegedly engineered by Mchunu and not by the police commissioner Masemola, has sparked the rising tensions and a series of events, including the wholesale arrests of officers by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption, a unit within the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). 

A defiant Mkhwanazi said he would be opening a case against Mchunu for alleged interference in policing matters.

Masemola said he does not know the reasons behind the attempt to close the political killings task team unit.

During a marathon press conference on Sunday, Mkhwanazi declared that he was combat-ready and that he was willing to die for the people of South Africa.

He accused the police ministry of interference in police operations and detailed how the minister and his associate, Brian Mogotsi, had been entangled with a SAPS service provider, Matlala, who was awarded a R360 million tender with the law enforcement agency in 2024. 

In May, Masemola repealed the contract citing that Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala’s company should never have made it past the first round during the bidding process. 

Mkhwanazi said the recent arrest of Matlala – on attempted murder charges – led police to uncover – through cellphone analysis, a web of alleged corruption involving the service provider Matlala Mogotsi and the minister.

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za

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