Des Erasmus
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, told the Madlanga Commission on Wednesday that he made his explosive July statements – which led to the establishment of the commission – because he, and his professional peers, believed the South African criminal justice system was “at real risk of collapse”.
The briefing had been a “collective effort”, he told the commission.
On 6 July, Mkhwanazi delivered a bombshell media briefing where he alleged that South Africa’s law enforcement and intelligence services had been infiltrated by a powerful criminal syndicate.
He claimed a major drug cartel was operating with political protection and ties to the judiciary, prosecutors, and senior politicians, allowing it to act with impunity.
Mkhwanazi directly accused then-police minister Senzo Mchunu of political interference, alleging that Mchunu colluded with criminal elements to disband KwaZulu-Natal’s specialised political killings task team.
That unit, established in 2018, had been central to investigating
You’ve reached your free article limit
Subscribe to enjoy unlimited access to trusted journalism. Cancel anytime.
Subscribe nowNeed help? molokom@insidepolitic.co.za
