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Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Top South African official accuses police minister of colluding with crime syndicates
Top South African official accuses police minister of colluding with crime syndicates (Image: AP) JOHANNESBURG: A South African top security official accused the police minister and a deputy national commissioner of colluding with crime syndicates, sparking public uproar. In an unprecedented move, General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, head of the police in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, called for a press conference Sunday and claimed that Senzo Mchunu and Shadrack Sibiya had interfered with sensitive police investigations. He also alleged both men disbanded a crucial crime unit tasked with investigating repeated politically motivated killings in the province after it was revealed that crime syndicates were behind the killings. Mkhwanazi claimed his investigation showed that some "politicians, law enforcement, SAPS (South African police service), metro police and correctional services, prosecutors, judiciary" were being "controlled by drug cartels and as well as business people". He said he had evidence supporting his claims, yet to be made public. South Africa has one of the highest crime rates in the world and allegations of corruption within the police are not new. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo However, it is unusual for high-ranking security officials to accuse each other of involvement with criminals. Mchunu has denied Mkhwanazi's claims, calling them "baseless". "The Minister of Police will never allow his integrity, that of the Ministry or the SAPS at large to be undermined by insinuations made without evidence or due processes, from anyone, including Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi," Mchunu said in a statement. President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is currently in Brazil attending a Brics Leaders' Summit, said he would see to Mkhwanazi's allegations on his return home this week. "This is a matter of grave national security concern that is receiving the highest priority attention," Ramaphosa's office said in a statement, adding that the trading of accusations between the country's top police officials could undermine public confidence. The African national congress party, which leads the country's unity government, said the issues raised by Mkhwanazi were "of grave concern" and it had been assured that Ramaphosa would attend to them. The Institute for Security Studies, an independent crime watchdog, said these accusations should be thoroughly probed as they could erode public confidence in South Africa's police.
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
KZN police commissioner fires scathing claims at police minister
KZN police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi yesterday dropped a bombshell in a media briefing in Durban, laying bare the state of grave interference by prominent figures in police investigations, Berea Mail reports. 'In the year 2024, a request was received from the Gauteng Organised Crime Investigation Unit to assist with the investigation to dismantle the organised crime syndicate operating in KZN and throughout the country. 'The provincial commissioner of KZN decided to deploy 10 members from the Political Killings Task Team to support the Gauteng Organised Crime Investigation Unit. 'This investigation has unmasked the syndicate, which involves politicians, law enforcement (SAPS, Metro Police and Correctional Services), prosecutors and the judiciary, and is controlled by a drug cartel as well as business people,' claimed Mkhwanazi. He highlighted that evidence had been found in cellphone records linking Police Minister Senzo Mchunu with some accused senior officers. The minister has rejected the 'baseless allegations' by the KZN police commissioner. Police Ministry spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi said: 'The minister of police will never allow his integrity, that of the ministry or the SAPS at large to be undermined by insinuations made without evidence or due processes, from anyone, including Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi. We will be reviewing the provincial commissioner's statements and considering appropriate action. All these statements made by him in public require an urgent, thorough and transparent investigation on a proper platform.' Political parties are calling for the recusal of the minister and urgent action from President Cyril Ramaphosa, who said: '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.' Ramaphosa will outline the actions to be taken on this matter on his return from the Brics Leaders' Summit currently underway in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Mkhwanazi vs Mchunu: 5 things you need to know about their explosive feud
KZN police commissioner accuses minister of meddling in political killing cases. Here is what you need to know... There has been a massive spat between the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, and KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. During a media briefing on Sunday, Mkhwanazi made explosive revelations, accusing senior police leadership, including Mchunu, of interfering in investigations into politically motivated killings. There are concerns that the spat might affect policing and administration. Here are 5 things you need to know about the saga: Peace between a 'criminal and a police officer' In a detailed briefing, Mkhwanazi exposed the removal of 121 case dockets from his political killings task team by Deputy National Commissioner General Shadrack Sibiya, allegedly under the instruction of Mchunu. Some of these dockets had already led to arrest orders, but no action was taken, with the files now sitting untouched in Pretoria. Mkhwanazi also linked the targeting of his task team to its involvement in exposing a powerful Gauteng-based organised crime syndicate. He alleged the syndicate includes serving MPs, police officers, correctional officials, prosecutors, and even members of the judiciary—all allegedly controlled by drug cartels and business elites. He further revealed digital evidence suggesting collusion and attempted interference. Rejecting calls for reconciliation with Sibiya, Mkhwanazi stated, 'There can never be peace between a criminal and a police officer.' NOW READ: KZN's Mkhwanazi makes damning claims about Mchunu, senior police officials Mchunu reacts Minister Mchunu dismissed the allegations, calling them baseless and lacking evidence. Mchunu said he will not allow his integrity or that of the police ministry to be undermined by unsubstantiated claims. 'We will be reviewing the Provincial Commissioner's statements and consider appropriate action,' he said. Ramaphosa speaks up President Cyril Ramaphosa later expressed serious concern over the public statements made by Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi. He called the matter one of 'grave national security concern.' Ramaphosa emphasised the need to uphold the integrity of the country's security services. He further warned that the ongoing exchange of accusations could erode public trust and disrupt the cohesion of the police. '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,' the Presidency said. Ramaphosa will announce steps to be taken once he returns from the Brics Leaders' Summit in Brazil. NOW READ: 'We don't want him to be a pop star': Allegations by KZN police commissioner Mkhwanazi sparks uproar MK party calls for minister to be arrested The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has demanded that Mkhwanazi lay criminal charges against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and General Sibiya within 24 hours, accusing them of defeating the ends of justice. The party urged National Commissioner Fannie Masemola and Mkhwanazi to act swiftly, warning that failure to do so would signal political interference and institutional protection. NOW READ: MK party wants Mchunu arrested amid explosive allegations Will policing be affected? Following Ramaphosa's earlier warning, police on Monday confirmed that normal day-to-day policing operations across the country are continuing without disruption. National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola assured the public that police stations and service points remain fully operational, with officers continuing their mandate to prevent and combat crime, maintain public order, and protect all inhabitants of the country. NOW READ: Mchunu vs Mkhwanazi: Police operations continue amid explosive allegations
The Citizen
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
MK party wants Mchunu arrested amid explosive allegations
KZN police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu of involvement in the disbandment of the SAPS' political killings task team for ulterior motives. The MK party has demanded the 'immediate arrest' of Police Minister Mchunu following explosive allegations against the minister and senior officials within the South African Police Service (Saps In a briefing on Sunday, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleged political interference in police operations, claiming that Mchunu and Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Shadrack Sibiya had meddled in the work of the task team, including issuing letters to disband it, halt crime intelligence appointments, and withdraw case dockets to Sibiya's office. Claims He claimed that the disbandment of the police's political killings task team was due to the unit uncovering links between a powerful drug cartel and high-ranking politicians – including Mchunu – as well as police officers and prosecutors. The provincial police commissioner has registered a criminal case against Mchunu as a result. ALSO READ: 'We don't want him to be a pop star': Allegations by KZN police commissioner Mkhwanazi sparks uproar Arrest The MK party has extended its commendations and full support to Mkhwanazi. 'General Mkhwanazi has demonstrated profound courage and integrity, especially in the face of adversity. 'The MK party demands the immediate arrest of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, based on prima facie evidence of criminal conduct as presented by General Mkhwanazi. This is not a political appeal to the President, it is a direct demand to law enforcement,' the MK party said. 'No delays' The MK party said National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, together with Mkhwanazi, 'must act without delay.' 'The evidence implicating Minister Mchunu is serious and calls for the law to take its course. No one is above the law and any further inaction will only confirm suspicions of institutional protection and political interference. 'Given the weight of the allegations, the arrest must be carried out without any further delay. The integrity of our democratic institutions and the safety of our citizens should always be paramount. Any efforts that hint at sabotaging justice and truth, regardless of the source, must be eradicated,' the MK party said. Ramaphosa concerned Meanwhile, the Presidency said it had noted Mkhwanazi's allegations. According to the Presidency, President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the matter when he returns to the country from Brazil, where a Brics Leaders' Summit is currently taking place. '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,' the president said. '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,' Ramaphosa added. NOW READ: Fifth suspect arrested for City of Tshwane transformer theft
TimesLIVE
7 days ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
'Grave national security concern': Ramaphosa calls for restraint amid tensions in SAPS
President Cyril Ramaphosa says he has noted statements made on Sunday in a media briefing by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mkhwanazi made damning allegations against police minister Senzo Mchunu. He accused the minister of interfering with police investigations and also being an associate of people with questionable characters. Mchunu has denied all the allegations made against him. '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,' Ramaphosa said '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.' The Presidency said Ramaphosa will outline the actions to be taken on this matter on his return from the Brics Leaders' Summit currently under way in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
