Did Mkhwanazi cross the line by going public with SAPS concerns?
During a media briefing on Sunday, Mkhwanazi suggested senior political figures were influencing police decisions, a claim that drew sharp responses and praise in equal measure.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, attending the Brics summit in Brazil, called the matter a ' grave national security concern' and urged police leaders to show 'discipline and restraint' amid the fallout. He warned 'the trading of accusations and counteraccusations threatens to undermine public confidence ' in the SAPS.
Some see Mkhwanazi as a whistle-blower exposing rot in the system. Others say he stepped out of line and should have handled the matter internally.
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The Star
44 minutes ago
- The Star
'I will die for this badge': Who is Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi?
Hope Ntanzi | Published 9 hours ago KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's vow to defend the SAPS badge, even with his life, has sparked national debate, making him a fearless symbol of resistance against political interference in policing. Image: DOCTOR NGCOBO/INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS Step on the wrong side of the law, and he will deal with you. KwaZulu-Natal's Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, is no stranger to headlines, dropping bombs left, right and centre. Mkhwanazi has long been regarded as a no-nonsense law enforcer with an unflinching stance on corruption. His latest public outburst has taken his profile to new heights. Once known mainly within policing circles, his name and face have now captured the public imagination, with many South Africans using his image as their display picture and hailing him as a fearless symbol of integrity. This comes after an explosive press briefing where he declared he was 'combat ready' to defend the integrity of the badge, even if it cost him his life. According to the SAPS, Mkhwanazi joined the South African Police Service as a student constable in 1993. He rose through the ranks to Lieutenant General in 2011. ''Before being appointed acting provincial commissioner for KwaZulu-Natal, Mkhwanazi occupied several positions within the Service, including head of the Special Task Force (STF), Divisional Commissioner of Human Resource Development, and acting National Commissioner of Police.'' He holds a B-Tech degree in Policing as well as a National Diploma in Police Administration. His words, directed at Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, ignited a national conversation about political interference in law enforcement, sparking intense debate. 'I am combat ready. I will die for this badge. I will not back down,' Mkhwanazi told the media during a press conference in Durban on Sunday. This statement has since gone viral and turned him into a symbol of bravery and resistance for many on social media. At the centre of the storm is a deepening rift between Mkhwanazi and Mchunu, following the controversial disbandment of the KZN political killings task team, a unit that had been investigating high-profile assassinations in the province. Mkhwanazi, who was clad in the brown uniform of the STF and heavily armed with security, claims the task team was disbanded without his consultation and hinted at political interference from individuals close to Mchunu. 'Someone whispered to the minister to remove the team,he didn't consult me or the National Commissioner,' said Mkhwanazi. The fallout is the latest chapter in what observers now describe as a 'dangerous power play' within South Africa's law enforcement hierarchy. Mkhwanazi, who has been wearing his police boots for over 30 years and once held a top position of the acting National Commissioner, has earned a reputation for internal discipline and for publicly confronting institutional rot. His previous decision to suspend crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli in 2012 for alleged misconduct showcased his willingness to challenge powerful figures. In March this year, Mchunu lodged a formal complaint with the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), accusing Mkhwanazi of interfering in the arrest of a correctional services official with alleged links to a drug cartel. However, Mkhwanazi dismissed the probe as a smear campaign designed to undermine his efforts to tackle politically connected crime networks. 'Every time I touch someone powerful, there is a backlash. This is not the first time they've tried to silence me,' he said. The investigation sparked outrage from police unions and political parties alike. The uMkhonto weSizwe Party, the EFF, and several civic organisations rallied behind Mkhwanazi, with some demanding Mchunu's resignation and the reinstatement of the task team. Mchunu has maintained a cautious tone throughout, recently telling the media. 'The decision on the renewal of Lt Gen Mkhwanazi's contract lies with the National Commissioner, not me.' However, that hasn't stopped speculation that Mchunu and others in senior government circles are lobbying for Mkhwanazi's removal ahead of the end of his term. In a 2024 interview, Mkhwanazi made it clear he believes provincial police commissioners should have more authority to act independently, especially in politically volatile regions like KZN. 'We are not politicians. We are law enforcement. If crime has a political connection, that doesn't mean we stop doing our jobs,' he told the newspaper, Mail & Guardian. Public sentiment is sharply divided. While some civil society leaders have called for calm and institutional accountability, others have rallied behind him as a symbol of resistance against political interference in the SAPS. Forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan, however, criticised Mkhwanazi's approach. 'I want that man to fall, and the sooner, the better,' citing what he called dangerous grandstanding and factional loyalties.' Mchunu has however denied allegations of political interference made by Mkhwanazi, calling them 'wild' and 'baseless.' Responding to claims that he disbanded the political killings task team and interfered in SAPS operations, Mchunu said: 'I will never allow my integrity, that of the Ministry or SAPS, to be undermined by insinuations made without evidence.' He confirmed that the commissioner's remarks would be reviewed and that appropriate action would be considered: 'All these public statements require an urgent, transparent investigation on a proper platform.' Mchunu reaffirmed his commitment to the rule of law and tackling serious crimes, especially in high-crime provinces like KZN, Gauteng, Eastern Cape, and Western Cape. [email protected] Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel IOL Politics
Daily Maverick
2 hours ago
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BRICS leaders condemn Ukrainian attacks on Russian infrastructure
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A week later, he capped all of the so-called reciprocal tariffs at 10% until July 9 to allow for negotiations. Only two agreements have so far been reached, with Britain and Vietnam. There was no immediate response from the Japanese or South Korean embassies on the announcement. About12 countries will receive letters from Trump, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said at a briefing without identifying them. She said Trump would sign an executive order on Monday formally delaying the July 9 deadline to August 1. 'There will be additional letters in the coming days,' Leavitt said, adding that 'we are close' on some deals. The European Union will not be receiving a letter setting out higher tariffs, EU sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday. U.S. stocks fell in response, the latest market ruction since Trump unleashed a global trade war on his return to office in January. His moves have repeatedly whipsawed financial markets and sent policymakers scrambling to protect their economies. U.S. stocks were driven to near bear-market territory by his cascade of tariff announcements through the early spring but quickly rebounded to record highs in the weeks after he put the stiffest levies on hold on April 9. The S&P 500 on Monday was down nearly 1%, its biggest drop in three weeks. U.S.-listed shares of Japanese automotive companies fell, with Toyota Motor down 4.1% at mid-afternoon trading and Honda Motor off by 3.8%. The dollar surged against both the Japanese yen and the South Korean won. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said earlier on Monday he expected several trade announcements to be made in the next 48 hours, adding that his inbox was full of last-ditch offers from countries to clinch a tariff deal by the deadline. Bessent did not say which countries could get deals and what they might contain. Trump has kept much of the world guessing on the outcome of months of talks with countries hoping to avoid the hefty tariff hikes he has threatened. Countries have scrambled to hammer out deals before the Wednesday deadline. South Korea and Indonesia dispatched representatives to Washington, while Thailand submitted a new trade proposal offering zero tariffs on many U.S. goods. 'We've had a lot of people change their tune in terms of negotiations. So my mailbox was full last night with a lot of new offers, a lot of new proposals,' Bessent said in an interview with CNBC. 'So it's going to be a busy couple of days.' BRICS THREAT For its part, the European Union still aims to reach a trade deal by July 9 after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Trump had a 'good exchange,' a Commission spokesperson said. It was not clear, however, whether there had been a meaningful breakthrough in talks to stave off tariff hikes on the United States' largest trading partner. Adding to the pressure, Trump threatened to impose a 17% tariff on EU food and agriculture exports, it emerged last week. Trump had said on Sunday the U.S. was close to finalizing several trade pacts and would notify other countries by July 9 of higher tariff rates. He said they would not take effect until Aug. 1, a three-week reprieve. He also put members of the developing nations' BRICS group in his sights as its leaders met in Brazil, threatening an additional 10% tariff on any BRICS countries aligning themselves with 'anti-American' policies. The new 10% tariff will be imposed on individual countries if they take anti-American policy actions, a source familiar with the matter said. The BRICS group comprises Brazil, Russia, India and China and South Africa along with recent joiners Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Trump's comments hit the South African rand. EU SEEKS EFFECTIVE APPROACH TO TRUMP The EU has been torn over whether to push for a quick and light trade deal or back its own economic clout in trying to negotiate a better outcome. It had already dropped hopes for a comprehensive trade agreement before the July deadline. 'We want to reach a deal with the U.S. We want to avoid tariffs,' the spokesperson said at a daily briefing. Without a preliminary agreement, broad U.S. tariffs on most imports would rise from their current 10% to the rates set out by Trump on April 2. In the EU's case, that would be 20%. Von der Leyen also held talks with the leaders of Germany, France and Italy at the weekend, Germany said. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has repeatedly stressed the need for a quick deal to protect industries vulnerable to tariffs ranging from cars to pharmaceuticals. The German spokesperson said the parties should allow themselves 'another 24 or 48 hours to come to a decision.' Germany's Mercedes-Benz said on Monday its second-quarter unit sales of cars and vans had fallen 9%, blaming tariffs. Russia said BRICS was 'a group of countries that share common approaches and a common world view on how to cooperate, based on their own interests.' 'And this cooperation within BRICS has never been and will never be directed against any third countries,' said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
