PICTURES: uMkhonto weSizwe Party march for Mkhwanazi
Supporters of the Umkhonto Wesizwe (MK) Party march, 14 July 2025, in support of KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi in Johannesburg. KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi claimed last week that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu sabotaged a probe into political killings by seizing 121 open case files in March and pushing to disband the team tasked with the investigation. In response, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa placed Police Minister put Senzo Mchunu on immediate leave. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
A group of about 300 MK Party supporters marched through the streets of Johannesburg singing war chants and struggle songs, dressed in military-type uniforms as they called for the support of KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
The pack was led by a group of elderly men and women in camouflage, which the MK Party indicated are actual uMkhonto weSizwe veterans.
A supporter of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party gestures while wearing a t-shirt featuring the face of party leader Jacob Zuma and Vladimir Putin, among others. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Supporters of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party gather at Beyers Naude Square, in Johannesburg. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Supporters of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party march past the ANC headquarters Luthuli House. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
MORE: Paul Weinberg: A history in black and white photography
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Maverick
an hour ago
- Daily Maverick
If heeded, Ramaphosa's judicial commission could mark a new era of integrity in South Africa
President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement on Sunday night of a judicial commission of inquiry into alleged corruption and political interference in South Africa's policing authorities may prove to be a pivotal moment in the country's battle to restore public trust in our justice system. Sparked by alarming claims from KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, this inquiry now sits at the crossroads of institutional reform and constitutional accountability. Yet, the depth of the allegations suggests this moment demands more than a routine political reaction — it demands a national reckoning. The breadth and depth of the allegations are astonishing. The accusations include sabotaging politically motivated investigations, collusion with criminal syndicates, and systemic infiltration of the police, prisons, the prosecuting authority and judiciary. The immediate placement of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on special leave has raised difficult but essential questions. Is special leave an adequate response to such serious allegations? Should stronger disciplinary or even prosecutorial measures have been considered? Is the South African Police Service fundamentally compromised and in urgent need of comprehensive reform? Ramaphosa's announcement rightly triggers comparisons to one of the most consequential corruption probes in modern democratic history: the 1989 Fitzgerald Inquiry in Queensland, Australia. South Africa's unfolding inquiry finds a striking echo in the celebrated Fitzgerald Inquiry, which was also a response to deep-seated police and political corruption. System overhaul That investigation, formally known as the Commission of Inquiry Concerning Possible Illegal Activities and Associated Police Misconduct, exposed systemic corruption within Queensland's police force and government, ultimately transforming both. Led by Justice Tony Fitzgerald, the inquiry not only toppled a sitting premier and sent a police commissioner to prison — it overhauled entire systems of oversight, ethics and accountability. What made the Fitzgerald Inquiry so transformative was its scope. It did not merely focus on individual wrongdoing, but illuminated how institutional rot takes root and flourishes when cultures of impunity go unchecked. It exposed bribery, illegal gambling, prostitution rings and deep ties between organised crime, the police and politicians. Fitzgerald's final report issued more than 100 recommendations, including the restructuring of the Queensland Police Service, the creation of independent oversight bodies such as the Criminal Justice Commission (now the Crime and Corruption Commission), and stronger protections for whistle-blowers. Importantly, Premier Joh Bjelke Petersen resigned, and Police Commissioner Sir Terence Lewis was jailed (and stripped of his knighthood). Crucially, these were implemented with political will and public support. In South Africa, the echoes are disturbingly familiar. Our nation has already endured the corrosive effects of corruption — and the lesson should be clear: superficial reform is not reform at all. Once again, we find ourselves confronted by allegations not merely of individual misconduct, but of a coordinated attempt to subvert justice for political ends. The question is no longer whether we should act — but how comprehensively we are willing to do so. Scapegoating Ideally, the scope of the judicial commission must extend beyond Minister Mchunu. While his alleged actions are deeply troubling, isolating him risks scapegoating one individual while ignoring the broader dysfunction. Perhaps the inquiry must probe the entire law and justice cluster, including the police, prison services, the National Prosecuting Authority and even elements within the judiciary itself. These institutions form the bedrock of our democracy. If they are compromised, our constitutional order is not merely under strain — it is under siege. By broadening the mandate, the commission can identify root causes — hierarchies of power, gaps in internal oversight, incentive systems — and guide comprehensive reform. The EFF decried 'special leave' as a 'cowardly deflection', alleging that it breaches Section 98 of the Constitution on ministerial accountability. Constitutionally, South Africa has robust protections designed to uphold the rule of law, from judicial independence (Section 165) to prosecutorial impartiality (Section 179). Yet these safeguards are only as effective as our willingness to defend and enforce them. Ethical governance requires more than rhetorical commitment — it demands action, including real consequences for breaches of public trust. Placing a minister on leave is a procedural start, not a resolution. One should not be perceived as an alarmist. However, it would be short-sighted to ignore concerns expressed by others that ethics and accountability are under siege. South Africa's constitutional democracy depends on the integrity of its law-and-order structures Comparative global examples reinforce this. Other nations facing similar crises have taken decisive action: In Italy, the Mani Pulite ('Clean Hands') investigations during the 1990s led to widespread arrests and political resignations, reshaping Italian politics and reinforcing prosecutorial independence. Police reforms In India, landmark Supreme Court rulings of 2006 catalysed police reforms and called for the establishment of independent complaint authorities. The court directed all States and Union Territories to constitute Police Complaints Authorities (PCAs) in its landmark judgment on police reforms. These examples demonstrate that institutional failure can be overcome — but only through transparency, accountability, and systemic reform. In our current moment, the South African public deserves more than the promise of justice — they deserve its full pursuit. Anything less would not only betray the ideals enshrined in our Constitution, it would squander a rare and crucial opportunity for renewal. If treated as a mere exercise in optics, the effort risks joining past commissions that failed to deliver change. But if heeded — and acted upon — the inquiry could mark the beginning of a new era of integrity in South Africa. DM
Daily Maverick
an hour ago
- Daily Maverick
South Africa needs Scorpions 2.0 and a capable National Prosecuting Authority
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has made notable strides in the recovery of money lost by the state in organised crime and corruption cases. Yet convictions and prosecutions of State Capture cases are still amiss. This constitutional crisis obliterates any prospect of economic growth. A report by Investec found that crime and widespread government corruption significantly contributed to South Africa's downward economic spiral. According to the report, had we kept up with the growth rates of similar countries, South Africa's economy would have been 37% bigger than it is today. Crime and corruption must be successfully prosecuted to lift South Africans out of poverty and squalor. A strong criminal justice system is a prerequisite to restoring the rule of law, strengthening democratic institutions and growing the economy. The NPA's turnaround strategies aimed at restoring the destruction caused by the Jacob Zuma administration have fallen short. The prosecuting authority is collapsing in front of our eyes. A lack of experienced prosecutors, limited capacity and chronic underfunding have led to failures in prosecuting both complex cases and everyday crimes. An institutional overhaul is required to address the scourge of crime and secure the independence of prosecutions, and this can only be achieved through amending the Constitution. South Africa needs an independent Anti-Corruption Commission tasked with investigating and prosecuting serious corruption and high-level organised crime. Additionally, we require a capable NPA free from political interference. This two-pronged approach combines the long-term solution of the Anti-Corruption Commission with ensuring the independence of the NPA in the short term. A truly independent NPA The first step is the development of a Private Members Bill to address the lack of independence of the NPA, shield it from political interference and ensure that the subjugation of the NPA never occurs again. This Bill is currently in development. The Bill will have the NPA report directly to Parliament and remove the President's ability to appoint or remove the national and deputy directors. This power will be couched in Parliament and require a special majority to effect any removal. It will further detach the minister of justice's final authority over the NPA. National directors have been fired for prosecuting cases of politically connected persons in the past. Advocate Vusi Pikoli's removal is a prime example of such political influence. The amendment will also give the NPA the power to determine its own budgetary needs, subject to parliamentary approval. The NPA can neither be rebuilt nor have its prosecutorial capacity increased without additional funds. The NPA's budget is currently determined by the minister of justice, who, like her predecessors, has failed to advocate for better funding despite the NPA's pleas. Increased funding will allow for the employment and training of future prosecutors and better equip junior prosecutors with skills and experience, thus restoring the NPA's capacity incrementally. This Bill presents short-term wins that would substantially assist the NPA. The responsibility for investigating and prosecuting serious corruption and high-level organised crime must be transferred to a specialised Chapter 9 body in the long term. This will free up the NPA to tackle its huge caseloads of everyday crime. This is the second prong, aimed at a long-term solution to dealing with State Capture and high-level organised crime. The Scorpions 2.0 as a long-term solution The Anti-Corruption Commission Bill was introduced early this year and is now being considered by Parliament. The Bill creates a Chapter 9 institution that specialises in the investigation and prosecution of serious corruption and high-level organised crime. Such complex cases require a great deal of resources for successful prosecutions – resources that the NPA does not have. The role of the institution will be akin to that of the original Scorpions and allow for prosecutor-led investigations and security of tenure. The Directorate of Special Operations – the 'Scorpions' – was a specialised NPA unit tasked with investigating and prosecuting corruption and organised crime. Because it was part of the NPA and under the authority of the minister, politicians under investigation were able to have the unit disbanded. Previous Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has aptly described the disbandment as 'the worst decision ever'. Although replaced by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks), falling within the authority of the minister of police, the Hawks themselves have been exposed to political meddling and influence. Recently, in an attempt to appear hard on corruption, a new Investigating Directorate on corruption was established within the NPA, this time, without the power to investigate, and failing to insulate the unit from political meddling. Institutional problems within the NPA cannot be solved with slapdash legislation. No anti-corruption unit can be under the yoke of the people it is tasked with investigating – it must be unequivocally independent from political influence. The Anti-Corruption Commission Bill will create a stand-alone body free from political control and put an end to the looting of state coffers. The Anti-Corruption Commission Bill ('Scorpions 2.0') runs parallel to a constitutional amendment that ensures the commission's full independence. This amendment will make it impossible for implicated and connected persons to have a say in leadership changes at the commission. The leaders of the Scorpions 2.0 will answer directly to Parliament, thereby protecting the security of tenure of those in charge. The amendment will further secure a fixed-percentage budget allocation for the commission. No longer will the prosecution of corruption be hamstrung by politicians closing the purse. These measures ensure that the Anti-Corruption Commission will be immune to any form of political pressure and can focus solely on investigating and prosecuting crimes of corruption. A specialist unit will finally allow the prosecution of State Capture cases and other instances of corruption. It will further empower the NPA to prosecute 'ordinary' crimes with greater success. South Africans deserve to live in a safe environment where perpetrators of crimes like rape, murder and robbery are put behind bars effectively. Conclusion The effective prosecution of crime creates a safer society and leads to increased investment, economic growth and job creation. With unemployment at about 40%, the importance of economic growth in South Africa need not be elaborated. It is inexcusable that the National Prosecuting Authority has been allowed to fall into disrepair and reach a point of collapse, yet it can still be saved. In the darkest of times, our country has shown that it can come back from the brink. These bills will restore our prosecutorial institutions and deserve the full support of South Africans. The amendments they propose will fight crime, put an end to corruption and save our country. DM
The South African
5 hours ago
- The South African
Dead body found in a bush in Umlazi H
A dead body was found on the side of a railway line in a bush in Umlazi H, Durban, on Monday, 14 July 2025. Community members and security officers patrolling the railway discovered the dead body and immediately informed the police, who made their way to the area. Forensics were also summoned to the scene, where they examined the body and discovered that the deceased was a female believed to be in her teenage years. DEAD BODY DISCOVERED IN UMLAZI H The deceased was found half-naked with both her hands and legs tied by a rope. There was also a bruise on her forehead with a pinch of blood drooling down her face. The South African reached out to the police for comment but they were unable to provide feedback at the time. Durban authorities arrive in Umlazi to collect the dead body found in the bush next to the railway line. IMAGE: Nomndeni Ndlovu. Sicelo Ntanzi, a community member who lives nearby, said that he did not hear any noise or see suspicious activity, as there was also load shedding. He says, 'To be honest with you, this comes as a shock because I did not hear anything at all. To make matters worse, there was also load shedding in the area in the past few days, so it was dark and it would have made it challenging for anyone to see anything.' The area has been plagued by a string of crimes in the past few months. Nomzamo Gwala, a resident, says that there was a shooting incident in the area a few months ago. 'This other time at the beginning of the year, there was a group of drunk men who were walking on the railway at night, who started fighting and swearing at each other. Their fight quickly escalated into a deadly gunfight when they started shooting at each other.' 'This area is really bad and we have tried multiple times to protect this area and even tried to form a Community Policing Forum (CPF), but it did not work,' says Gwala. Former security officer and CPF member, Bhekisizwe Mkhabela, said that they did start a policing forum in the area, but it ended up not working as they did not receive enough support. 'You know, when we started this, we had high hopes of bringing change in our community, as many people had lost hope in the police, but then things went astray.' 'There was a meeting held where we were told that we were going to be assisted with vehicles that would patrol in the area, but that did not happen. More and more people started leaving as they felt like they were not receiving support,' Mkhabela explained. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
