KZN police warn public of fake accounts impersonating Mkhwanazi
Police may pursue legal action against those impersonating the provincial commissioner to promote personal or political agendas.
The public is urged not to use the commissioner's image during political marches, as it may send unintended messages and politicise police leadership.
Police in KwaZulu-Natal have sounded the alarm over a growing number of fake social media accounts that are impersonating the Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
The accounts, active on platforms including X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Facebook, are using the commissioner's name and photographs without authorisation, misleading the public into believing that the content is being shared by the senior police official himself.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, has confirmed that the provincial commissioner does not operate any social media accounts and warned that the fake profiles are deceptive and potentially harmful.
'Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi does not have a social media account, and declares that all social media accounts bearing his names and photographs are fake, and that they are being used to deceive the public into believing that it is the Provincial Commissioner communicating via such platforms,' said Netshiunda.
Netshiunda said the police are contemplating taking legal steps against those who impersonate the provincial commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal to advance their personal agendas.
He further informed the public that those profiles are fake and that neither the police in KwaZulu-Natal nor Mkhwanazi have endorsed such fake accounts.
'The Provincial Commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal would also like to plead with members of the public to refrain from using his photographs during various politically-aligned marches, especially those against the State President,' he said.
He said although Mkhwanazi appreciates the support that people have shown towards the work of the police in KwaZulu-Natal, the use of his photographs and names on posters and banners during marches has the potential of sending unintended messages to government, government officials and the international community.
Netshiunda said the provincial commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal was against crime and criminals, not leaders in government.
Since the beginning of the week, there have been protests across the country in support of Mkhwanazi, who made explosive allegations against police minister Senzo Mchunu and deputy police commissioner for crime detection General Shadrack Sibiya, whom he accused of being in cahoots with criminals.
Mchunu and Sibiya have since been placed on 'leave of absence'.
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