Latest news with #Mkhwanazi
IOL News
4 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Firoz Cachalia's Stark Choices: Confront the SAPS Rot or Protect Ramaphosa's Interests
Hundreds marched in the streets of Durban on July 15, 2025 in support of KZN Police Commissioner Lt. Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mkhwanazi, as a senior officer, would have been aware of the implications of bypassing his superiors. That he felt compelled to do so signals profound institutional dysfunction, says the writer. Clyde N.S. Ramalaine President Ramaphosa's controversial decision to place Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on leave and appoint Professor Firoz Cachalia as Acting Minister of Police, effective 1 August, has sparked turbulence within the upper echelons of the SAPS. Days later, National Police Commissioner General Fanny Masemola placed Lt. General Shadrack Sibiya, head of Crime Detection, on leave, prompting speculation that KZN Provincial Commissioner Lt. Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi may be next. These shifts ignited widespread political speculation and disjointed warnings that any move against Mkhwanazi could provoke resistance. While inflammatory rhetoric should not be condoned, it must be understood within the broader political volatility and a society that registers its displeasure with President Ramaphosa and his ANC party, which continues to disrespect South Africans. A key question emerges: Is there a connection between these rumblings and Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni's recent reference to intelligence about a potential coup? Or is this mere coincidence? The timing evokes memories of July 2021, when the President warned of an insurrection, though no government buildings were stormed. That episode, shaped more by strategic narrative management than decisive institutional response, sets a precedent for today's rhetoric: instability wrapped in vague intelligence briefings, masking internal state dysfunction. Currently, Mchunu's leave and Cachalia's appointment are being challenged legally, as shown by a letter to the President from the MKP. Within this unstable terrain, Cachalia's response to Mkhwanazi's press conference on 6 July deserves closer scrutiny, not just for tone but for what it reveals about underlying tensions in the SAPS and the broader political ecosystem. Cachalia described Mkhwanazi's press conference as 'highly unusual.' The phrase, deliberately ambiguous, subtly chastises Mkhwanazi for bypassing internal channels without condemning him outright. This language allows Cachalia to tread carefully, projecting institutional respect while acknowledging the extraordinary nature of Mkhwanazi's public disclosure. This calculated framing reflects the posture Cachalia is likely to adopt as Acting Minister: one of procedural discipline blended with political pragmatism. It acknowledges the breach of protocol while hinting at possible justification, especially if formal channels were already compromised. Indeed, Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu and Sibiya of dismantling key investigative units, especially those probing political killings. He further revealed that CR17-aligned campaigner Brown Mogotsi appeared as an unsolicited intermediary, relaying directives via WhatsApp. Mogotsi's involvement, without formal designation, hints at a disturbing entanglement between informal actors and operational policing decisions. In such an environment, appeals to 'proper channels' lose credibility. Cachalia's follow-up remark that Mkhwanazi 'may have had no choice' to go public becomes telling. Carefully hedged, it nonetheless conveys implicit moral endorsement. It recognises that the normal institutional safeguards, meant to protect sensitive investigations, may have collapsed, thereby legitimising Mkhwanazi's extraordinary action. This subtle concession validates the general's ethical stance, reframing his public disclosure as an act of integrity, not insubordination. In this sense, Cachalia's wording becomes a cautious bridge, acknowledging both the breach and the rot that necessitated it. His balanced rhetoric signals an attempt to reassert authority without escalating internal dissent. Still, Mkhwanazi, as a senior officer, would have been aware of the implications of bypassing his superiors. That he felt compelled to do so signals profound institutional dysfunction. His press conference functioned as both revelation and protest: exposing that the mechanisms meant to uphold accountability had themselves become sites of compromise. Cachalia, a former anti-apartheid activist and seasoned legal mind, likely understands this. His statement that he would 'ask' Mkhwanazi about the press conference, rather than threaten disciplinary action, casts him more as an investigator than an enforcer. He appears intent on navigating complexity, not bulldozing through it. His appointment, though partially justified by his public service credentials, is also rooted in loyalty and political trust. As a Ramaphosa confidant, or "house friend" in ANC parlance, Cachalia's selection serves multiple functions: reassurance, political insulation, and the projection of reform-minded oversight. His identity, outside the ANC's dominant patronage patterns, also helps Ramaphosa symbolically reframe the narrative of leadership. Cachalia disclosed that the President called him only an hour before the appointment was announced, beginning with an apology for not yet attending a NACAC meeting, a body Cachalia chairs. This suggests that his appointment may have been reactive or a calculated response to criticism of Ramaphosa's disengagement from anti-corruption structures. The fact that NACAC's 2023 report on policing, like the Prof. Sandy Africa report on the July 2021 unrest, has not been implemented, casts Cachalia's new role in a politically instrumental light. Thus, Cachalia's elevation may serve several functions: as a gesture toward overdue reform, as insulation against fallout, and as a trusted figure to manage emerging crises within SAPS without exposing the President to deeper scrutiny. His presence buys time, stabilises perception, and ensures factional loyalty at a moment of deep political uncertainty. Ultimately, Mkhwanazi's public statement was a forced intervention into a system that had rendered internal reporting futile. His actions underscore a harsh truth: when mechanisms of accountability are themselves compromised, public disclosure may be the only ethical recourse. Expecting officers to quietly comply under such conditions would mean sanctioning silence in the face of corruption. Cachalia's language, at once ambiguous and revealing, walks a delicate line. It neither fully supports nor condemns Mkhwanazi but signals a deeper institutional malaise. His phrase 'he may have had no choice' speaks volumes. The scandal, in his framing, is not Mkhwanazi's boldness, but the political interference he was compelled to expose. The real question is not whether Mkhwanazi broke ranks, but whether Cachalia, if confirmed and at the helm, will confront the rot or simply manage its optics to protect Ramaphosa's interest. * Clyde N.S. Ramalaine is a theologian, political analyst, lifelong social and economic justice activist, published author, poet, and freelance writer. ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL, Independent Media or The African.
IOL News
5 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Firoz Cachalia's Stark Choices: Confront the SAPS Rot or Protect Ramaphosa's Interests
Hundreds marched in the streets of Durban on July 15, 2025 in support of KZN Police Commissioner Lt. Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mkhwanazi, as a senior officer, would have been aware of the implications of bypassing his superiors. That he felt compelled to do so signals profound institutional dysfunction, says the writer. Clyde N.S. Ramalaine President Ramaphosa's controversial decision to place Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on leave and appoint Professor Firoz Cachalia as Acting Minister of Police, effective 1 August, has sparked turbulence within the upper echelons of the SAPS. Days later, National Police Commissioner General Fanny Masemola placed Lt. General Shadrack Sibiya, head of Crime Detection, on leave, prompting speculation that KZN Provincial Commissioner Lt. Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi may be next. These shifts ignited widespread political speculation and disjointed warnings that any move against Mkhwanazi could provoke resistance. While inflammatory rhetoric should not be condoned, it must be understood within the broader political volatility and a society that registers its displeasure with President Ramaphosa and his ANC party, which continues to disrespect South Africans. A key question emerges: Is there a connection between these rumblings and Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni's recent reference to intelligence about a potential coup? Or is this mere coincidence? The timing evokes memories of July 2021, when the President warned of an insurrection, though no government buildings were stormed. That episode, shaped more by strategic narrative management than decisive institutional response, sets a precedent for today's rhetoric: instability wrapped in vague intelligence briefings, masking internal state dysfunction. Currently, Mchunu's leave and Cachalia's appointment are being challenged legally, as shown by a letter to the President from the MKP. Within this unstable terrain, Cachalia's response to Mkhwanazi's press conference on 6 July deserves closer scrutiny, not just for tone but for what it reveals about underlying tensions in the SAPS and the broader political ecosystem. Cachalia described Mkhwanazi's press conference as 'highly unusual.' The phrase, deliberately ambiguous, subtly chastises Mkhwanazi for bypassing internal channels without condemning him outright. This language allows Cachalia to tread carefully, projecting institutional respect while acknowledging the extraordinary nature of Mkhwanazi's public disclosure. This calculated framing reflects the posture Cachalia is likely to adopt as Acting Minister: one of procedural discipline blended with political pragmatism. It acknowledges the breach of protocol while hinting at possible justification, especially if formal channels were already compromised. Indeed, Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu and Sibiya of dismantling key investigative units, especially those probing political killings. He further revealed that CR17-aligned campaigner Brown Mogotsi appeared as an unsolicited intermediary, relaying directives via WhatsApp. Mogotsi's involvement, without formal designation, hints at a disturbing entanglement between informal actors and operational policing decisions. In such an environment, appeals to 'proper channels' lose credibility. Cachalia's follow-up remark that Mkhwanazi 'may have had no choice' to go public becomes telling. Carefully hedged, it nonetheless conveys implicit moral endorsement. It recognises that the normal institutional safeguards, meant to protect sensitive investigations, may have collapsed, thereby legitimising Mkhwanazi's extraordinary action. This subtle concession validates the general's ethical stance, reframing his public disclosure as an act of integrity, not insubordination. In this sense, Cachalia's wording becomes a cautious bridge, acknowledging both the breach and the rot that necessitated it. His balanced rhetoric signals an attempt to reassert authority without escalating internal dissent. Still, Mkhwanazi, as a senior officer, would have been aware of the implications of bypassing his superiors. That he felt compelled to do so signals profound institutional dysfunction. His press conference functioned as both revelation and protest: exposing that the mechanisms meant to uphold accountability had themselves become sites of compromise. Cachalia, a former anti-apartheid activist and seasoned legal mind, likely understands this. His statement that he would 'ask' Mkhwanazi about the press conference, rather than threaten disciplinary action, casts him more as an investigator than an enforcer. He appears intent on navigating complexity, not bulldozing through it. His appointment, though partially justified by his public service credentials, is also rooted in loyalty and political trust. As a Ramaphosa confidant, or "house friend" in ANC parlance, Cachalia's selection serves multiple functions: reassurance, political insulation, and the projection of reform-minded oversight. His identity, outside the ANC's dominant patronage patterns, also helps Ramaphosa symbolically reframe the narrative of leadership. Cachalia disclosed that the President called him only an hour before the appointment was announced, beginning with an apology for not yet attending a NACAC meeting, a body Cachalia chairs. This suggests that his appointment may have been reactive or a calculated response to criticism of Ramaphosa's disengagement from anti-corruption structures. The fact that NACAC's 2023 report on policing, like the Prof. Sandy Africa report on the July 2021 unrest, has not been implemented, casts Cachalia's new role in a politically instrumental light. Thus, Cachalia's elevation may serve several functions: as a gesture toward overdue reform, as insulation against fallout, and as a trusted figure to manage emerging crises within SAPS without exposing the President to deeper scrutiny. His presence buys time, stabilises perception, and ensures factional loyalty at a moment of deep political uncertainty. Ultimately, Mkhwanazi's public statement was a forced intervention into a system that had rendered internal reporting futile. His actions underscore a harsh truth: when mechanisms of accountability are themselves compromised, public disclosure may be the only ethical recourse. Expecting officers to quietly comply under such conditions would mean sanctioning silence in the face of corruption. Cachalia's language, at once ambiguous and revealing, walks a delicate line. It neither fully supports nor condemns Mkhwanazi but signals a deeper institutional malaise. His phrase 'he may have had no choice' speaks volumes. The scandal, in his framing, is not Mkhwanazi's boldness, but the political interference he was compelled to expose. The real question is not whether Mkhwanazi broke ranks, but whether Cachalia, if confirmed and at the helm, will confront the rot or simply manage its optics to protect Ramaphosa's interest. * Clyde N.S. Ramalaine is a theologian, political analyst, lifelong social and economic justice activist, published author, poet, and freelance writer. ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL, Independent Media or The African.
IOL News
12 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
uMkhonto weSizwe Party praises SAPS for reinstating Political Killings Task Team
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has unleashed a storm in South Africa's world of intelligence. His explosive disclosures have triggered a deluge of questions, literally opening Pandora's Box. Image: Thobile Mathonsi / Independent Newspapers The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has expressed renewed confidence in the South African Police Service (SAPS) following the reinstatement of the Political Killings Task Team, describing the move as a pivotal step towards restoring justice for victims of politically and criminally motivated violence that has engulfed the nation. MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndlhela praised the task team for their "perseverance and professionalism," which he said had illuminated numerous crimes that might have otherwise faded into obscurity. Nhlamulo Ndhlela affirms the MK Party's confidence in the re-establishment of the SAPS "Political Killings Task Team," Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading "We celebrate the effectiveness of the Political Killings Task Team, which has already arrested and charged 436 individuals; this is clear evidence of their capabilities," Ndlhela noted. Ndlhela articulated a strong stance on the principle that 'justice delayed is justice denied,' underscoring the urgency for swift action in the pursuit of justice for all victims. Ndlhela rejected calls for a judicial commission of inquiry intended to scrutinise allegations made by General Mkhwanazi regarding the now-suspended police minister, Senzo Mchunu's alleged collusion with criminal elements. He argued that such a commission could only serve to delay justice even further. "We urge General Mkhwanazi and the Political Killings Task Team to act swiftly and make additional arrests, including any of those implicated politicians, parliamentarians, and members of the judiciary, specifically naming Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya,' Ndlhela asserted. In a show of support for the task team, Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe echoed sentiments of gratitude towards the team's diligent work, stating that Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola was pleased with the task team's progress. National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola spoke to the media after signing a memorandum following the "Hands Off Mkhwanazi" march in Durban. Image: Doctor Ngcobo/ Independent Newspapers "General Masemola is optimistic about the hope that their ongoing investigations will ultimately bring closure to the affected families,' Mathe conveyed. Highlighting the commitment of law enforcement personnel, she said, "Well done to the teams that have been piecing together evidence since November 2022. This is the culmination of hard work and dedication to justice. It is crucial that we take our time to ensure a thorough investigation, so we can present a strong case before the court." The MK Party has reaffirmed its steadfast support for the task team, applauding their unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth, especially in cases fraught with political sensitivities. "We urge the continuation of their mandate, free from political interference, and we remain resolute in our call for full accountability. We reiterate that justice must never be compromised,' Ndlhela urged. DAILY NEWS
Daily Maverick
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
MPs recommend that ad hoc committee probes Mkhwanazi's allegations within 90 days
A joint committee meeting in Parliament has also recommended that the committee should identify any legislative or policy failures that may have contributed to the policing crisis. Parliament's police committee chair, Ian Cameron, says the formation of an ad hoc committee to probe KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's allegations of police corruption is a 'positive process'. Cameron was speaking at the Cape Town Press Club on Tuesday, 22 July, about the policing scandal that has exposed rival factions in South Africa's law enforcement arena. Watch: Inside Mkhwanazi's claims: South Africa held hostage by criminal cartel A joint meeting of Parliament's police committee and its justice and constitutional development committee on Tuesday agreed to adopt their report recommending to the National Assembly that an ad hoc committee be formed to investigate Mkhwanazi's allegations. The decision followed a directive from National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza earlier this month asking the committees to come up with an appropriate approach to oversight concerning the allegations. The committees had considered options including conducting a full investigative inquiry under the Powers, Privileges and Immunities Act and exercising their conferring powers in terms of National Assembly Rule 169 — which dictates how committees can or must consult or meet with each other. Ultimately, it decided on the ad hoc committee because it is 'task-specific and time-bound'. 'The Committees are acutely aware of the need for the National Assembly to ensure an expeditious process. The Committees, therefore, recommend the establishment of an ad hoc Committee in accordance with National Assembly Rule 253,' stated the report. 'This is because the scope of an ad hoc committee is task-specific and time-bound, contrary to the general oversight function of portfolio committees, which, in contrast, is ongoing and often requires juggling competing priorities.' The recommendation of an ad hoc committee comes after Mkhwanazi held a press conference on 6 July and claimed that a drug cartel in Gauteng was controlling a high-level criminal syndicate that extended into the South African Police Service, the Police Ministry, Parliament, official prison structures, the judiciary and other law-enforcing authorities. He also alleged that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, along with several other figures, including the deputy national commissioner for crime detection, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya (who has since been told to take special leave), had undermined investigations into political killings and organised crime. President Cyril Ramaphosa has since announced that a judicial commission of inquiry will probe Mkhwanazi's allegations, and placed Mchunu on leave with immediate effect. Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe is filling Mchunu's position until August, when Firoz Cachalia, the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council's chairperson and former Gauteng community safety MEC, will take over. Cameron said Ramaphosa's response to Mkhwanazi's allegations felt 'like burying one's head in the sand'. 'None of these inquiries or judicial commissions have really shown any form of result — apart from destroying tax coffers. [They haven't] shown any form of real justice,' said Cameron. Good result However, Cameron said he was 'confident' that the ad hoc committee in Parliament could 'have a good result'. 'It depends on how the Speaker also structures it — we don't have a direct say over that. Then that ad hoc committee would sit and determine their terms of reference, and obviously that is the critical part,' he said. 'We don't want to unnecessarily have duplication over anything that the commission is doing, but I think Parliament is already perfectly positioned to do the relevant interrogation of many of the allegations that have been made, and hopefully then we would be able to see quicker results and recommendations.' Cameron said the report was expected to be tabled in the National Assembly on Wednesday, 23 July. The committees have recommended that the ad hoc committee process be concluded within 90 days from it being formed. 'We have recommended three months for the ad hoc committee process, and hopefully we'd be able to get through it in that time. I don't think it needs to take much longer for the scope of what we would look at,' said Cameron. While the terms of reference are expected to be decided only once the ad hoc committee has been formed, the committees, in their report to the National Assembly, have recommended that, in addition to Mkhwanazi's allegations, 'consideration is given to identifying any legislative and/or policy failures or gaps that may have contributed to this matter'. DM
The South African
a day ago
- The South African
'Take a bow': Mkhwanazi hailed in DJ Sumbody case
South Africans are applauding KZN police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi after a major breakthrough in DJ Sumbody's murder case. The beloved Amapiano star was brutally gunned down in a targeted shooting in November 2022. Ever since his fatal attack, there have been public concerns over the lack of arrests in his murder case. On Monday afternoon in Gauteng, four suspects linked to his murder were arrested by law enforcement officials in a joint operation. According to police, three suspects acted as hitmen, while the fourth allegedly planned and executed the DJ's fatal shooting. Although not leading the case, Mkhwanazi hinted at progress during a 6 July briefing focused on multiple celebrity murder investigations. At the time, no arrests had been made, but his comments suggested that suspects were being tracked and evidence gathered. Mkhwanazi revealed that certain high-ranking officials were actively obstructing justice to protect drug-linked criminal networks in South Africa. He added that firearms seized in Gauteng have been forensically connected to multiple entertainment industry murders dating back to 2021. Following the arrests, many South Africans flooded X (formerly Twitter) with praise for Mkhwanazi's leadership and fearless commitment to justice. @Tobisani1, 'We love Lord Mkhwanazi.' @Cocobby02, 'Mkhwanazi's name must be placed in the books of history as our corruption fighter. What has been done for us is more than HUGE. The corruption was larger than us, and it probably still is, but his infamous presser opened up the can.' @Ab2theking, 'A Job well done to L.t. Mkhwanazi, if it wasn't for you, no one would be arrested by now.' @zinqitha, 'We salute Mkhwanazi' @TrevorNGBX, 'General Mkhwanazi, take a bow, sir. @KatlegoiRamushu2, 'As a nation, we will never ever stop talking about Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi until his contract is renewed.' @PulseOnX, 'General Mkhwanazi opened a can of worms that might take down an entire drug and fraud empire. He's the real deal.' The four suspects are currently facing three counts of murder, each linked to the brutal attack that shocked South Africa deeply. These charges relate to the deaths of DJ Sumbody and his bodyguards, Sibusiso Mokoena and Sandile Myeza, during the 2022 ambush. The men appeared briefly in Alexandra Magistrate's Court today, where the case was officially postponed to 29 July 2025. Authorities said the delay is to allow time for further investigation and proper verification of newly uncovered information and forensic evidence. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS? 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.
