Appearing before the Ad Hoc Committee in Parliament, Mkhwanazi outlined serious security concerns and alleged irregularities inside the high security C-Max facility.

He told the committee that Matlala, who is facing attempted murder charges, was enjoying unusual freedom inside the prison.

According to Mkhwanazi, Matlala had close relationships with senior officials at the facility, including the head of the prison.

This alleged relationship enabled him to move around freely and operate with ease within one of South Africa’s most secure correctional environments.

“I’m not going to explain part of the reasons why there was a motivation for him to move away from there, but that’s part of the problems that have been experienced,” Mkhwanazi told the committee.

The situation escalated after Correctional Services Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale intervened following concerns raised publicly.

The commissioner deployed officials to conduct a search inside the C-Max facility.

During the operation, authorities discovered a prohibited cellphone inside Matlala’s cell block, which he was sharing with two other inmates.

The device has since become a key piece of evidence in ongoing investigations.

Mkhwanazi confirmed that the cellphone is already assisting investigators in building the case.

“The phone has helped us with a lot of these things where the case is,” he said.

However, serious questions remain about how such a device made its way into one of the country’s most secure prison sections.

Mkhwanazi pointed directly to the alleged relationships between Matlala and prison leadership as a possible enabling factor.

“Mr Cat Matlala was found with a cellphone inside prison,” he emphasised.

The revelations have raised alarm over security breaches, internal collusion, and the integrity of correctional facilities meant to house high risk inmates.

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Mkhwanazi presided over a special meeting between rival taxi associations, the KwaMaphumulo Taxi Association and KwaDukuza Taxi Association aiming to quell the ongoing tensions between the two taxi associations who have been fighting over routes among other tensions.

Mkhwanazi warned the taxi operators during his visit to meet with two taxi associations from Ntshwaini in KwaDukuza which are said to at loggerheads over routes.

The long-standing tensions have led to disruptions in traffic flow and violence.

He told the taxi bosses that South African roads belong to everyone and that private citizens cannot be intimidated or stopped from assisting others with transport.

Mkhwanazi made it clear that the law does not grant taxi operators the power to control who gives a lift to whom.

“A person who wants to take a lift will take a lift. If they want to take a taxi, they will take a taxi. If they want to take a bus, they will take a bus. It is not for you to decide how someone must travel. If I ever hear that there is an association that stops cars on the road and tells people they are not allowed to take a lift and must use a taxi, the moment I receive that report I will arrest the person responsible.

“Even if it is a security company doing that, I will report that company to the PSIRA office and have its license taken away. Once that security guard is arrested, the entire company will be shut down. If it operates in other places, we will deal with that in court and close it,” he said.

Mkhwanazi further said: “If a taxi driver who belongs to an association does such a thing, it means that person is working for that association. We do not care whether they own the taxi or not we will shut down that association. Those taxis will not operate. If members of the association want to test how powerful the government is, they should start with us. Challenge the government and you will see the power it has.”

According to him, intimidation of motorists or attempts to block private vehicles from transporting passengers will not be tolerated.

The commissioner’s statement has been widely interpreted as a warning to those in the taxi industry who believe they can enforce informal rules on the roads.

He stressed that law enforcement will act against anyone who attempts to take the law into their own hands.

Community members and road users have welcomed the statement, saying it reinforces the principle that South African roads are public spaces governed by the law, not by intimidation or private interests.

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Mlotshwa claimed he was tortured by SAPS members including Mkhwanazi.

Mlotshwa made this claim while testifying before the Ad Hoc Committee probing allegations of police corruption on Friday.

He claimed police forced entry into his home in 2024, without a search warrant and later burnt it.

Mlotshwa told the committee he was identified as a prime suspect in Desai’s kidnapping case after the businessman was abducted outside a mosque in KwaDukuza on September 10, 2024.

The case was handled by a multidisciplinary team in KZN that included members of the Hawks and the provincial tracking unit.

The suspended officer testified that police officers forced entry into his home on November 20, 2024, while he was in Maputo.

“The officers did not have a search warrant and later they burned the house down. Days later, on November 23, I was detained in Maputo after I was arrested at a restaurant in Maputo under the claims that he was an illegal immigrant.

“I was taken to the nearest bush where members of SAPS based in Maputo tortured me. When they were tired of torturing me and realizing that I had no knowledge about Desai’s disappearance, they then decided to take everything that I had in my possession, including my passports and money. I was detained there as an illegal immigrant,” he said.

According to Mlotshwa, he was moved on November 28 from a police station in Maputo to the Lebombo border post and handed over to KZN police.

“He described the transfer as an illegal rendition conducted without proper legal procedures before he was formally processed by investigators.

Mlotshwa further claimed that on December 9, 2024, he and two Mozambican co-accused were taken from KwaDukuza police cells to a private farm despite having legal representation. He alleged they were transported in private vehicles belonging to Desai’s brother and were subjected to interrogation.

During the alleged interrogation, Mlotshwa said he and his co-accused were stripped naked and suffocated with a water-filled plastic bag.

“During the torture, the provincial commissioner was present and participated in the torture.

“He went as far as telling me that I should have rather committed suicide than coming to KZN,” he testified.

He claimed Mkhwanazi entered the room and instructed him to undress and squat.

Charges against Mlotshwa were later withdrawn in January 2025, but he remains suspended without pay while the allegations are expected to be addressed before the committee.

Mlotshwa concluded his testimony by accusing national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) of failing to intervene.

“It is disappointing and heartbreaking that the national commissioner and Ipid have dismally failed to act decisively where illegal rendition, torture, and arson have been committed. They need to account and be held responsible for their lack of action,” he said.

Mkhwanazi and Masemola are set to return to the committee to respond to the allegations levelled against them.

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KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, issues a strong call to action for all law enforcement officers, emphasising that fighting organised crime remains a top government priority.

Speaking with conviction, he reaffirms loyalty to the National Police Commissioner and urges members of the SAPS and Metro Police to rise and protect South Africa’s citizens. Watch his powerful message on duty, unity, and honour in the fight against crime.

Protect this badge! – KZN Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi Media Briefing

#Mkhwanazi #FightCrime #SAPS #ProtectAndServe #SouthAfricaPolice #ViralSpeech #LeadershipMatters #KZNPolice

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