“Rot in the Ranks”: Inside Mkhwanazi’s Explosive Testimony on SAPS Corruption and Political Meddling

South Africa’s police service, long under public suspicion for its handling of political crimes and internal scandals, is once again in the spotlight. KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has given Parliament a jaw-dropping look into what he describes as systemic corruption, political interference, and rogue operations within the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Testifying before the Ad Hoc Committee on Police Corruption this week, Mkhwanazi didn’t mince his words. His two-day testimony laid bare what he called “a rot that starts from the top,” implicating senior officials, political aides, and even intelligence structures in efforts to sabotage honest policing.

A “Political Hit” on the Task Team

At the centre of his testimony was the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) a specialised unit investigating politically linked assassinations in KwaZulu-Natal. Mkhwanazi said Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s December 2024 directive to dissolve the unit was not just irregular, but “bordered on breaking the law.”

He alleged that the directive, which bypassed the National Commissioner’s operational authority, was politically motivated and possibly written by someone outside the police. “The Minister’s letter went beyond policy; it dictated operations, which is unlawful,” he said.

“Someone Close to the Minister”

When MPs pressed him for names, Mkhwanazi hinted at a shadowy figure close to Minister Mchunu who may have influenced or even drafted the disbandment letter. He stopped short of naming the individual, but suggested that a criminal investigation was already tracing WhatsApp and email exchanges between the Minister and his Chief of Staff, Cedrick Nkabinde.

Political watchers on X (formerly Twitter) were quick to react. Some users accused Mkhwanazi of “playing politics himself,” while others praised his courage for “speaking truth to power.”

“I Can’t Guarantee My Family’s Safety”

In one of the most emotional moments of his testimony, Mkhwanazi admitted that he fears for his family’s safety.
“I can’t afford bodyguards. Their safety is equal to that of every citizen,” he said. “Only a functional, honest police service can protect us.”

That line has since gone viral, quoted in memes, WhatsApp statuses, and talk radio debates across the country. It captures a raw truth many South Africans feel: if the top cop in KZN doesn’t trust the system, who can?

Corruption in the Shadows of Power

Mkhwanazi’s testimony didn’t stop at SAPS. He went further, alleging corruption inside the State Security Agency (SSA) even after it was relocated to the Presidency.
“If they are bad outside, they will be bad inside,” he warned, a statement that drew murmurs in the committee room.

He also spoke of a “Big Five” corruption ring, a network of police insiders and businessmen allegedly driving organised criminal activity and manipulating tenders. Two names were revealed: Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and Katiso Molefe. The other three remain under investigation.

MPs in the Firing Line

Mkhwanazi also took aim at politicians. He accused DA MP Dianne Kohler Barnard of compromising undercover operations by sharing photos of SAPS safe houses online, an act he said endangered covert operatives. National Coloured Congress MP Fadiel Adams was also named for allegedly mishandling sensitive crime intelligence material.

Meanwhile, Mkhwanazi claimed that the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), meant to clean up the system, has been infiltrated by a “rogue faction” that derails politically sensitive cases.

A Fight Far From Over

The most shocking moment came when Mkhwanazi described the arrest of Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo as a deliberate “project”, a coordinated move to dismantle investigations into organised crime in Gauteng. “It was no coincidence,” he said. “It was a project.”

That revelation underscores a darker truth about South Africa’s law enforcement, one where the lines between justice, politics, and crime have dangerously blurred.

For years, South Africans have whispered about corruption within SAPS, from dodgy procurement deals to politically motivated promotions. But Mkhwanazi’s testimony feels different. It’s rare, candid, and damning, especially coming from someone within the police hierarchy.

Whether his words spark real accountability or fade into another forgotten inquiry remains to be seen. But one thing is certain, his testimony has reignited public debate about who really runs South Africa’s police: the Constitution, or the corridors of power.

In the words of one social media user:

“If even Mkhwanazi says the rot is this deep, imagine what the ordinary cop sees every day.”

And that, perhaps, is the real question South Africa must confront next.

{Source: IOL}

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