A high-ranking South African Police official, KwaZulu-Natal Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, testified before a Government-appointed inquiry on Wednesday, September 17, alleging the nation’s police and justice systems have been deeply infiltrated by criminal syndicates.
Mkhwanazi, whose July claims caused a public outcry, stated his aim was to demonstrate that the system faces a continuous threat and is at “real risk of total collapse.” He specifically accused Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and a deputy commissioner of disbanding a crucial crime unit that was investigating syndicate-linked political killings, leading to their suspension.
The inquiry has drawn mixed reactions, with critics pointing to President Ramaphosa’s past commissions that have failed to hold high-level officials accountable. An opposition party is challenging the probe’s legality in court, while a lawmaker has demanded Mkhwanazi also testify before a separate parliamentary investigation.
Despite the skepticism, crime experts caution that the only path to real change is if the commission’s findings lead to tangible consequences and systemic reforms, rather than just another report that goes unimplemented.