South African police accuse leadership of interference

 

KwaZulu‑Natal’s Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant‑General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, delivered an explosive press briefing on Sunday accusing Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya of orchestrating political interference within the South African Police Service. He alleged the two colluded with criminal syndicates, obstructed investigations into politically motivated killings, and dismantled a vital task team probing 121 case files related to violent crimes.

Mkhwanazi said the files were abruptly transferred from the Political Killings Task Team in KwaZulu‑Natal to SAPS headquarters in Pretoria back in March. The removal, he claimed, was ordered by Mchunu through Sibiya, effectively stalling the investigations. He warned that elements within government agencies—including police, prosecutors, and the judiciary—along with drug cartels and certain business figures, are deeply entrenched in organized crime. Mkhwanazi stated he possesses evidence to support his claims, though details have not yet been disclosed ewn.co.za+4townpress.co.za+4iol.co.za+4iol.co.za+12dfa.co.za+12townpress.co.za+12.

In response, Minister Mchunu vigorously rejected the accusations as “wild” and “baseless,” affirming he would protect the integrity of his office. He announced plans to launch an inquiry into Mkhwanazi’s public statements, emphasizing that any claims requiring due process must be investigated formally townpress.co.za. Deputy National Commissioner Sibiya also dismissed the allegations, accusing Mkhwanazi of behaving like a “warlord” and suggesting his attack undermined SAPS discipline .

The political fallout has intensified pressure from various quarters. Opposition parties, including the Economic Freedom Fighters and Democratic Alliance, have called for Mchunu’s suspension and a parliamentary debate. The African National Congress described the allegations as deeply troubling and pledged to support President Cyril Ramaphosa’s investigation upon his return from the BRICS summit reddit.com+11thetimes.co.uk+11apnews.com+11. Criminologists warned that if true, the accusations point to a collapse of internal accountability and risk eroding public trust in law enforcement en.wikipedia.org+10businesslive.co.za+10publicinterest.org.za+10.

Unions such as Popcru voiced strong support for Mkhwanazi, calling for the police watchdog to ensure the probe isn’t weaponized against him ewn.co.za+7iol.co.za+7iol.co.za+7. Meanwhile, civil-society groups like Public Interest SA described the claims as indicative of a “national crisis” demanding independent judicial scrutiny publicinterest.org.za.

President Ramaphosa has labeled the allegations a “grave national security concern” and said they will receive his personal attention after the summit concluded thetimes.co.uk.

As of now, the police leadership is deeply divided, with Mkhwanazi positioned as a whistle-blower taking his fight public. With urgent investigations promised, the coming days are likely to reveal whether South Africa’s institutions can confront corruption at the very heart of their security apparatus.