Ramaphosa calls KZN Police Commissioner Mkhwanazi allegations a ‘grave national security concern'

IOL News

8 hours ago

The fallout between Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and Minister Senzo Mchunu draws sharp concern from President Cyril Ramaphosa, who calls for discipline among state officials.
Image: Jairus Mmutle/ GCIS
President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi against Minister Senzo Mchunu as a "serious national security concern" and urged all parties involved to exercise "restraint and discipline."
Ramaphosa said he had noted statements made by Mkhwanazi in a press briefing - earlier on Sunday.
'This is a matter of grave national security concern that is receiving the highest priority attention. It is vital that the integrity of the country's security services is safeguarded and that the rule of law is affirmed.'
'All parties to this matter are called upon to exercise discipline and restraint. The trading of accusations and counter-accusations threatens to undermine public confidence and sow confusion. Furthermore, these actions damage the unity and focus of the police,' he said.
The Presidency said Ramaphosa will outline the actions to be taken on the matter on his return from the BRICS Leaders' Summit currently underway in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
This comes after Mkhwanazi dropped a bombshell on Sunday during a press briefing, accusing Mchunu of interfering in police investigations and disbanding a specialized task team probing political killings in KwaZulu-Natal.
This comes after Mkhwanazi dropped a bombshell on Sunday, during a press briefing, accusing Mchunu of political interference in criminal investigations, specifically in the disbandment of the task team probing political killings in the province.
Mkhwanazi said 121 case dockets were removed from the team in March 2025 under instructions from Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, allegedly acting on Mchunu's orders.
He said the disbandment followed Mchunu's December 2024 directive, claiming the unit was no longer effective.
However, Mkhwanazi alleged the team had uncovered a powerful organised crime syndicate involving politicians, police, prosecutors, and businesspeople, which he said promoted its disbandment.
He also claimed links between Mchunu and businessman Brown Mogotsi, despite Mchunu's public denial.
Mkhwanazi referenced a phone recording in which Mchunu allegedly acknowledged Mogotsi as a 'comrade.'
He also said evidence retrieved from accused tenderpreneur Vusimusi "Cat" Matlala's phone further revealed communication between Mogotsi and Mchunu.
'This undermines our criminal justice system,' Mkhwanazi said. 'We must act without fear or favor.'
Meanwhile, ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula said allegations made by Mkhwanazi were serious and posed troubling implications for law enforcement in the country.
"These are grave accusations by a police commissioner which border on lawlessness, and the state of our law enforcement agencies is worrisome," Mbalula told broadcaster, eNCA.
"We have full confidence that the president will deal with these matters with all the powers vested in him."
He criticised the manner in which the claims were made public.
"The police force can't communicate things of this nature. We turned a blind eye to that, but over and above that, some of these issues must actually be investigated," Mbalula said.
"All protocols of the state must be observed, and that's what we would like to see as the African National Congress."
Asked why he described the situation as lawlessness, Mbalula said:, 'It borders on lawlessness and a banana republic that a high-ranking police commissioner can basically go on television and make disparaging and grave accusations and allegations in the way we have learned about them.'
He said proper command and control protocols within the police service must be respected.
'I was a minister of police. I worked very well with the police, and I know the protocols of the police - but I'm not about to talk about my own personal experience. Let's deal with the principle,' he said.
According to Mbalula, the guiding principle is that the head of state must address the situation.
"That is what the ANC would like to see," he said.
When asked again what action the ANC would take regarding the allegations against Minister Mchunu, Mbalula responded, 'He is an ANC member. He's a minister deployed by the ANC. He is governed by the executive code and he reports to the president. It is fair that we defer to the president to deal with the matter.'
He added, 'I am confident, we are confident as the ANC, that the president will deal with the issue. It's not the ANC that is in the dark. When a member of the ANC is given a responsibility in the highest office and honor like the police, and is facing these sorts of accusations, the immediate authority is the president.'