'Cyril Must Go': Durban crowd demands action, not inquiries, after Mkhwanazi allegations
Hundreds of Durban's residents came out in support of KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on Tuesday morning for the Hands Off Mkhwanazi march.
The march started at the Curries Fountain Sports Development Centre to Hoy Park.
This follows Mkhwanazi's explosive allegations against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and the Deputy National Police Commissioner for Crime Detection, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, on July 6.
On Sunday night, Ramaphosa announced that Mchunu had been placed on special leave and announced that Professor Firoz Cachalia would be acting police minister.
Additionally, Ramaphosa announced the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry led by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Madlanga.
The marchers, which included uMkhonto WeSizwe Party (MK Party) members and other organisations, sang and chanted for President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down
"Phansi ngo Cyril Phansi! Cyril must go," they chanted.
Nokuthula Cele, who is from the Umnotho Wabansundu, which organised the march, told IOL that Mkhwanazi is one of South Africa's true leaders for exposing the alleged criminals that have infiltrated the country's law enforcement and government.
"Law enforcement has failed us. We ask ourselves why there are cases that are not followed through or investigated when we have the justice system. It appears that it is tied up and there is no clear explanation as to why," Cele said.
Mkhwanazi has ruffled the feathers of the police minister and others in law enforcement, she added. "We know that they'll try to stop Mkhwanazi or remove him from his position. So, we are here to illustrate, demonstrate, and amplify that we will protect him."
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The six hitmen who confessed are behind bars, but the big fish, the architects of this mafia-style hit, remain untouched, raising one screaming question: Who is protecting the real masterminds? I guess we all know who the masterminds are by now. The dominoes are falling, one by one, like rotten fruit off an overripe tree. But I digress. Not content with bullet points, Mkhwanazi rolled out a forensic timeline of events, peppered with WhatsApp receipts for extra spice. And here's the kicker: he didn't need to beg anyone to connect the dots. The dots lined themselves up and practically drew the picture for us. The performance of the political establishment since the missiles of Mkhwanazi's exposé flew from Durban to Brazil. Its shrapnel scattering all the way to Rio outside the BRICS+ conference has been nothing short of comical. Ministers, big shots, and the usual spin doctors have been tying themselves in knots trying to outrun the truth like an unmarked black SUV stuffed with menacing-looking Blue Light Bullies. Meanwhile, a flurry of gibberish words masquerading as media statements keeps flying thick and fast, even though you, my leader, called for 'restraint'. Yet restraint seems as scarce as an honest tenderpreneur these days. 'I don't know him — actually, I do — but he isn't my associate, just a comrade,' one Underworld operative mumbled to a gaggle of journalists, their eyes bloodshot and notepads sagging under the weight of scandal. Really now, what on Earth, for Peter's sake, is the difference, comrade — associate — friend, or partner in crime? Because to those of us out here, it's all starting to look like the same rotten stew. Another, cool as ice, admitted to crashing in the Cat's penthouse, yet swore mindlessly there was no 'business relationship'. 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