A top police official who claimed that South Africa’s police and justice system has been infiltrated by criminal syndicates took the stand Wednesday at a government-backed probe into the allegations.
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said at a news conference in July that some top politicians and police officials were interfering in sensitive police investigations in the interest of criminal syndicates and drug cartels. His claims caused a public outcry and led to the commission of inquiry being appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
South Africa’s parliament has been separately investigating Mkhwanazi’s claims.
South Africa has one of the highest crime rates in the world, and allegations of corruption within the police are not new. However, it is unusual for high-ranking police officials to accuse each other of involvement with criminals.
During his opening statement on Wednesday, Mkhwanazi said he would show the extent of the threat to the country’s criminal justice system.
“It has been my aim that I want to demonstrate that the criminal justice system has been subject to a continuous threat, as well as sabotage, which has been with us over an extended period,” he said. “To a point where we believe it is at real risk of total collapse if nothing is done.”