Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi is leading KwaZulu-Natal’s fight against crime, inspiring confidence.
Image: SAPS
The five-year contract renewal of Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner has been widely welcomed by social structures, political analysts, and provincial legislature members, who praised his leadership and commitment to restoring order and dignity within the SAPS.
They have expressed relief and confidence in Mkhwanazi’s continued tenure, viewing his re-appointment as crucial to the province’s fight against crime.
This comes after SAPS Commissioner General Fannie Masemola presented Mkhwanazi as KZN police commissioner for the next five years on Sunday.
Mkhwanazi’s contract renewal has been topical since his July 2025 press conference, where he made allegations about the existence and operation of a criminal syndicate that has infiltrated law enforcement and intelligence structures in South Africa.
Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu allegedly interfered with sensitive police investigations and colluded with business people, including a murder accused, to disband the KZN Political Killings Task Team.
Mkhwanazi also alleged that a Gauteng investigation by a task team uncovered a syndicate controlled by a drug cartel, involving politicians, law enforcement (SAPS, metro police, correctional services), prosecutors, the judiciary, and businesspeople.
eThekwini Neighbourhood Watch Chairperson and co-founder, Andile Jali, expressed happiness at Mkhwanazi’s intervention in social structures and his efforts to restore order within the police, where issues had previously arisen.
“It shows us that Mkhwanazi is the type of police officer who was there during the apartheid era, who wants the country to be safe. Not an officer who says, ‘I’m joining because I want to earn a salary’. Meaning, he understands that he will render a service to the community, respect their badge as the police, and the South African flag,” Jali said.
He expressed the hope that the contract would remain untouched, arguing that losing the individual would be a win for criminals.
He stressed that, without undermining a potential replacement, Mkhwanazi’s leadership and unwavering commitment have helped the police regain dignity and inspired officers to recommit to their pledge of protecting the people of South Africa and KZN.
Political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe said Mkhwanazi’s contract renewal was expected.
He said there were no apparent reasons why KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli and Masemola would not support Mkhwanazi’s re-appointment.
He said Mkhwanazi has acquitted himself well, a view shared by SAPS members under his command and the public.
“Fortunately for Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi, his support comes across almost all politics. They have expressed their confidence in him. Only one or two parties have been less enthusiastic,” Seepe said.
“Consistent with the police mandate, Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi has largely focused on policing and serving all South Africans irrespective of their political affiliation.”
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli and Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi engage with the media during the New Year’s Day safety campaign on Durban’s buzzing beachfront.
Image: Tumi Pakkies / Independent Newspapers
KZN Legislature Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Liaison Chairperson, Mbali Frazer, said: “We congratulate him and hope that he continues doing the good work for the province.”
Meanwhile, when Mkhwanazi was presented as KZN police commissioner on Sunday, KZN Premier Ntuli said they know Mkhwanazi’s leadership in the province has inspired investor confidence.
“Hence it was very important, even for the ordinary citizens, to have confidence in the work of the police, of which we are happy with the work that is done by both General Masemola, the national commissioner, and also the provincial commissioner,” Ntuli said.
“And for the conclusion of the contract renewal, I think now we are quite comfortable as the people of KwaZulu-Natal that the war against crime in KwaZulu-Natal is going to go from strength to strength. And I think it’s a strong message even to criminals.”
Ntuli added that there is improvement in several crime categories in KZN’s crime stats. Moreover, community mobilisation to work with the police in sharing information and fighting crime.
He said he concurred with Masemola’s intention to renew Mkhwanazi’s contract based on the successes observed. People, including the business sector, feel safer, which is inspiring confidence and attracting investment in KZN, thanks to the provincial commissioner and the police’s work.
thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za