KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has made serious allegations implicating senior political figures and law enforcement officials in efforts to obstruct criminal investigations, including high-profile murder cases.
During a media briefing on Sunday, July 6th, Mkhwanazi disclosed that 121 investigation dockets had been removed from the Political Killings Task Team before its disbandment in March. He claimed that these dockets, some containing instructions for arrests, were shelved at the police headquarters in Pretoria without proper authorization. Mkhwanazi revealed that five of the dockets contained “instructions to arrest perpetrators” but were instead left “sitting in an archive” at the police head office in Pretoria without explanation.
The task team, established in 2018, was a multi-agency unit tasked with investigating politically motivated killings in KwaZulu-Natal. According to Mkhwanazi, its disbandment came just as the unit was uncovering links between a criminal syndicate and high-ranking politicians, law enforcement officials, and prosecutors.
Mkhwanazi accused Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of interfering in police operations, alleging that the minister had direct communication with individuals linked to criminal activity. He claimed that a cell phone analysis connected one of Mchunu’s associates to both the criminal underworld and internal police matters, noting that while the minister had “denied knowing Mr. Brown Mokgotsi in Parliament,” he later admitted the man was his “comrade from North West.”
He also alleged that Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection Shadrack Sibiya ordered the removal of the investigation dockets, reportedly acting on Mchunu’s instruction. Sibiya has denied the accusations, stating, “There is no truth whatsoever in whatever he said.”
Dressed in his Special Task Force uniform, Mkhwanazi emphasized his commitment to combating crime, pointing out that while officers battle criminals on the streets, the greater challenge lies within, as “some of our own are working with criminals.” He affirmed his resolve to continue the fight, “even if it means to pay with my life.”
Mkhwanazi stated that he intends to open a case against Mchunu, asserting that no one, including the minister, has the authority to shut down police units.
