KwaZulu-Natal’s top police official, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has made serious allegations that have shaken the country’s law enforcement sector. At a press briefing on Sunday, he accused senior politicians and police officials of being involved in a powerful crime syndicate operating within the criminal justice system.
Among those named was the Police Minister, who Mkhwanazi claims instructed the disbandment of a special task team investigating political killings in KwaZulu-Natal. This move, he said, happened without consultation with either the national police commissioner or himself as provincial commissioner.
The task team, created in 2018, had been handling hundreds of politically linked cases, including murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to kill. On March 26, 2025, 121 of those case files were reportedly taken away from the team and moved to head office — where they’ve allegedly remained untouched.
According to Mkhwanazi, the task team had helped uncover a web of criminal activity that extended across multiple government departments and was tied to a drug cartel. He claimed that politicians, police officers, prosecutors, correctional services staff, and even members of the judiciary were involved.
The Police Minister strongly rejected the accusations, calling them “wild” and without evidence. He said such claims should be dealt with through formal investigations, not public statements, and warned that consequences could follow.
Also responding was a senior national police official who denied involvement and accused Mkhwanazi of acting like a “warlord,” claiming the outburst may have been linked to the recent arrest of a high-ranking intelligence officer — someone Mkhwanazi was reportedly close to. The officer, along with several others, appeared in court last week on corruption charges and has pledged to plead not guilty.
Despite the turbulence, Mkhwanazi insisted the task team remains active, though its work has been hindered. He praised the resilience of its members and implied their success in exposing criminal networks may have triggered attempts to dismantle the team.
A political party has expressed support for Mkhwanazi, urging him to lay formal charges against those he accuses of obstructing justice. They commended his courage in confronting corruption and called for full transparency and accountability.
Experts weighed in on the unfolding saga. A criminologist noted that while the public may not be entirely surprised by the claims, the lack of accountability in the police service has long been a concern. She also warned that Mkhwanazi could face disciplinary action for speaking out so publicly.
Another analyst emphasized the seriousness of the allegations and suggested the President may soon have to intervene. However, he added that political considerations could influence how such decisions are made.
As tension continues to mount, all eyes remain on the country’s top leadership to restore order and trust in the institutions meant to uphold justice.