South Africa’s top police officer has made bold claims that organized crime has infiltrated the highest levels of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government. General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi publicly accused Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of connections with criminal gangs in a rare and dramatic move.
Dressed in a military-style uniform and flanked by armed police officers, General Mkhwanazi held a press conference that was broadcast live nationwide. He said Mchunu had shut down a special police unit that was investigating political killings. This unit had uncovered a drug cartel with links to the business sector, the prison system, prosecutors, and the judiciary.
“We are in combat mode. I am directly taking on criminals,” the general said firmly.
Organized crime is a serious problem in South Africa. Experts warn that it has grown to dangerous levels. One famous case involved Jackie Selebi, the country’s longest-serving police chief. Selebi was sentenced in 2010 for accepting bribes from a drug lord in exchange for ignoring illegal activities.
General Mkhwanazi’s public accusations against a cabinet minister are unprecedented. His claims sparked immediate responses. Minister Mchunu dismissed the charges as baseless and said he was ready to answer them. However, the public largely supported the general, even in KwaZulu-Natal, the minister’s political stronghold.
On social media platform X, the hashtag #HandsoffNhlanhlaMkhwanazi trended as a warning against attacking the 52-year-old officer. Calvin Rafadi, a crime expert at the University of Johannesburg, said the general is known as a “no-nonsense person who takes the bull by the horn.”
General Mkhwanazi first gained public respect nearly 15 years ago when he suspended Richard Mdluli, a powerful crime intelligence chief linked to former President Jacob Zuma. Mdluli was later jailed for kidnapping, assault, and intimidation, confirming Mkhwanazi’s suspicions that he was corrupt.
Back then, many expected the young general to be easily influenced. But he stood firm and pushed for Mdluli’s suspension despite political pressure. He also exposed political interference in Parliament, earning both public praise and political enemies.
Mkhwanazi’s career stalled soon after, as he was removed from his role and kept out of public view for years. In 2018, he returned when Police Minister Bheki Cele appointed him provincial police chief in KwaZulu-Natal. His job included investigating killings in a province where fights for political power and state contracts are intense.
The closure of the investigative unit by Minister Mchunu was the final straw for General Mkhwanazi. He claimed 121 case files were left untouched at national police headquarters, fueling his decision to speak out publicly.
“I will die for this police badge. I will not back down,” he said, showing his strong commitment.
Public trust in South Africa’s police is at an all-time low. A survey by the Human Sciences Research Council showed only 22% of people trust the police. The force suffers from political meddling, corruption, and failure to reduce crime.
Since 2000, South Africa has had about ten different police chiefs. Some have been charged or convicted of crimes themselves. Gareth Newham from the Institute for Security Studies said the police service has “dysfunction at all levels” and “many problems that need fixing.”
General Mkhwanazi has also faced criticism. The police watchdog once investigated him for allegedly interfering in a case involving a senior prisons official. However, he was cleared last month. Opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters called the complaint a political attempt to block a committed crime fighter.
His team has been criticized for harsh tactics. Officers under his command have sometimes fatally shot suspects during confrontations. Newham noted that the public is willing to overlook these actions because they see Mkhwanazi as a “cop’s cop” and want a police hero.
Minister Mchunu has been removed from his post. From next month, Firoz Cachalia, a law professor and former Gauteng Community Safety Minister, will serve as acting police minister. Cachalia said that while Mkhwanazi’s public accusations were unusual, if proven true, the general’s actions would be justified.
General Mkhwanazi now faces a critical test. He must prove his claims against Mchunu or risk losing credibility. For now, he remains a symbol of courage in the fight against crime and corruption in South Africa’s police force.