South Africa’s law enforcement community is in turmoil following a high-stakes media briefing by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. In a sweeping presentation on Sunday, Mkhwanazi levelled grave accusations of political interference, criminal infiltration, and systemic sabotage of the South African Police Service (SAPS), alleging that a high-level criminal enterprise has compromised the justice system.
At the heart of Mkhwanazi’s claims is the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team, a specialist unit formed in 2018 to investigate politically motivated assassinations. According to the commissioner, the unit was shuttered in March 2025 after uncovering links between organised crime, government officials, law enforcement, and judicial figures. He cited direct interference by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, claiming they unlawfully withdrew 121 high-priority case dockets. Mkhwanazi accused them of acting to protect a network of politically connected individuals, including businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who held a R360 million SAPS contract.
Evidence presented by Mkhwanazi included internal communications, WhatsApp messages, and alleged proof of payment connecting Matlala, Mchunu and an associate, Brown Mogotsi, in what the commissioner described as a coordinated attempt to neutralise the task team’s investigations.
Sibiya Denies Allegations, Calls Mkhwanazi “Rogue”
Responding to the charges, Sibiya rejected the allegations as baseless and damaging. He insisted he acted on lawful instructions from the National Commissioner, not the minister, and maintained that the decision to reassign the dockets was routine. Sibiya further claimed that the task team itself was under investigation for misconduct and accused Mkhwanazi of grandstanding and militarising the press briefing.
Sibiya also denied knowledge of procurement processes or any involvement with Matlala, insisting he had never participated in contract decisions or received case files personally. He suggested Mkhwanazi’s actions may be politically motivated and accused him of defying chain-of-command protocol.
Ramaphosa: Allegations “Grave,” National Security at Stake
In response to the growing scandal, President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged the seriousness of Mkhwanazi’s claims and pledged swift action. Speaking through his spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, the president described the allegations as “a matter of grave concern” and “a national security issue.”
“The president regards it vital that at all material times we affirm the rule of law and we affirm the integrity of the security services,” Magwenya said. “It is also important that all the parties involved exercise restraint and avoid actions that are damaging to the unity and focus of the police.”
Ramaphosa, currently concluding his BRICS summit engagement, is expected to return to South Africa by midday Tuesday. His office confirmed that he will prioritise the matter upon arrival.
Parliament Reacts, “We Have Chaos”
The briefing has triggered a national outcry and renewed calls for a full-scale inquiry. Ian Cameron, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, described the allegations as “extremely serious” and “deeply troubling,” noting that some of the figures implicated, such as Matlala, have long evaded accountability despite repeated scrutiny.
“It is a massive cause for concern,” Cameron said. “This feels like the last remaining credibility within SAPS is being torn to pieces. Whether we agree with the optics of Mkhwanazi’s briefing or not, the substance demands urgent scrutiny. We cannot keep going like this.”
Cameron called for an integrity inquiry into SAPS senior management and acknowledged that Parliament had received prior reports of similar misconduct without seeing meaningful action.
DA and ActionSA Demand Parliamentary Debate
ActionSA representative Dereleen James echoed Cameron’s concerns, stating that “South Africans are being failed at every level.” She described the revelations as “shocking” and accused SAPS of being entangled in criminal activity rather than fighting it.
“We’ve asked questions week after week in the portfolio committee and received no answers,” she said. “We can’t trust SAPS to investigate itself. Parliament must take the lead. South Africans must demand accountability.”
Both James and Cameron have called for an urgent parliamentary debate and immediate intervention by the Speaker of the National Assembly.
Makashule Gana: Only the President Can Act
Makashule Gana, MP for Rise Mzansi, added his voice to the growing pressure, declaring that the crisis has escalated beyond Parliament’s capacity to contain. He called on President Ramaphosa to address the nation directly upon returning.
“These allegations strike at the very core of our security and justice system,” Gana said. “Only the President, as commander-in-chief, can provide the leadership this moment requires. We need a full judicial or presidential inquiry that goes beyond Parliament. The entire system may be compromised, from police to prosecutors to the judiciary.”
Gana warned that allowing the scandal to fester would empower criminal syndicates and deepen public mistrust. “These are not just internal squabbles. These are state institutions allegedly operating in collusion with criminals. The President must act now.”
Broader Implications
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), both cited in Mkhwanazi’s allegations, have yet to issue public statements.
Public confidence in SAPS continues to erode amid mounting reports of internal power struggles, senior arrests, and apparent sabotage of anti-crime initiatives.
This is a developing story.
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