SAPS says it will pursue legal action after “malicious” claims
The South African Police Service in KwaZulu-Natal says it is preparing to take legal action against businessman Calvin Mathibeli, a move that sharply escalates a dispute that has been building in public between the head of Calvin and Family Group and KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
In a statement issued on Tuesday evening, SAPS in the province rejected Mathibeli’s accusations in the strongest terms, calling them “malicious, baseless, unfounded and somewhat threatening.” Police officials said they would pursue legal recourse over what they describe as statements that unfairly damage reputations and erode public trust.
The response follows a scathing letter Mathibeli wrote on Monday in which he claimed SAPS in KwaZulu-Natal has been targeting him in what he described as a “witch-hunt,” and suggested he is being singled out by the provincial commissioner.
Dispute linked to claims about a police operation at his premises
At the heart of the clash is a social media exchange in which Mathibeli discussed a police operation linked to his company premises. He has also suggested that he has been under pressure for years, a claim that has intensified scrutiny and fueled speculation around what, exactly, is driving the conflict.
SAPS, however, drew a firm line on Tuesday. Police said the operation referenced online was directed by national structures and not KwaZulu-Natal police, insisting the provincial office had no role in it. In that context, officials argued, Mathibeli’s public framing of the incident as a local police campaign is misleading and inflammatory.
SAPS rejects claim that commissioner ordered his killing
The dispute took a darker turn with allegations that Mathibeli accused Lt Gen Mkhwanazi of issuing an instruction that he should be shot and killed. SAPS described that claim as not only false, but dangerous, saying it crosses a line from criticism into serious, image-damaging accusations.
According to SAPS, Mathibeli also claimed KwaZulu-Natal police were “captured” by his competitors and portrayed policing as a “get rich quick scheme.” Police said those remarks were reckless and unsupported, and warned that such statements risk undermining community confidence at a time when rebuilding trust remains a major focus.
Police say his remarks invite scrutiny of his business dealings
In unusually pointed language, SAPS said Mathibeli appears fixated on KwaZulu-Natal police and on the provincial commissioner in particular. Officials said his public comments effectively drew attention to his business activities, adding that police have since learned he is a beneficiary of a tender linked to the Gauteng Department of Health.
SAPS said it would now “give him the attention he is seeking” by pursuing legal steps and by moving forward with investigations. The message was clear. Police say they will not allow what they see as a smear campaign to go unanswered, and they intend to respond with both legal and investigative measures.
Wider context as pressure grows around policing and accountability
The clash is unfolding at a moment when policing, corruption claims, and public accountability are already under intense spotlight across South Africa. That wider environment makes the dispute feel heavier than a typical war of words. It is not just about two names trading accusations. It is also about how public institutions defend their credibility, and how powerful figures choose to challenge them.
For now, the focus remains on Mathibeli’s allegations and SAPS KwaZulu-Natal’s decision to pursue legal action. With tensions now openly on display, the next steps could turn this public dispute into a drawn-out legal and reputational fight, one that may only intensify in the days ahead.