Shocking claims by KZN Police Commissioner, General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi is a political tsunami
Image: Tumi Pakkies / Independent Newspapers
A few months ago, during an exclusive interview with IOL, KZN Police Commissioner, General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, dropped a few bombshells - but stopped short of revealing names - publicly at least.
During our interview Mkhwanazi referred to politicians abusing the police secret fund which has an annual budget of R600 million. The fund is highly secretive with very little control. It's meant to be used to fund informants, covert police operations and safe houses for witnesses.
Mkhwanazi also revealed to IOL how some senior politicians and politically connected individuals were claiming thousands per month through contracts with the SA Police Service. Those politicians were allegedly offering their properties as safe houses. Except, says Mkhwanazi, many of those claiming were actually living in those properties and they were not used as safe houses - corruption masked as a valid contract.
Mkhwanazi knew who they were and was livid at their blatant abuse of position and powers. Some of those names are known to IOL. Some are parliamentarians and some are political heavyweights in KZN.
During our interview, he also revealed his anger at the shutting down of the KZN investigative unit for political killings. He was outraged. That unit, claimed Mkhwanazi, was also hot on the heels of corrupt politicians. The killing of rapper AKA too was mentioned - and links with connected individuals and drug cartels.
Now, three months later, Mkhwanazi has repeated some of those bombshell claims - without dropping all names. But he has gone further. This time, he's unleashed his wrath and gone for the political jugular. National Police Minister, Senzo Mchunu and deputy National Police Commissioner, Crime Detection, Shadrack Sibiya were alleged to have interfered in investigations - with Mchunu also accused of links to drug cartels. Damning accusations. Shocking claims and a perfect political tsunami. So much for a festive Durban July Sunday.
Mchunu has - until now, had the most solid track record in the ANC. A Ramaphosa loyalist, ANC party insiders describe him as a hard working, quietly disciplined comrade. He has not been a subject of scandals or links to corrupt activities which have befallen many in his party at some point. So the recent allegations against him have come as a shocker, given his credentials. Mchunu is not the type you would associate with the underworld.
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But the question is why did Mkhwanazi expose it now? Was there a link between Mkhwanazi's explosive revelations and the arrest of Crime Intelligence Head, Dumisani Khumalo? He was afterall, said to be close to Mkhwanazi.
But, despite being the darling of South Africans, Mkhwanazi's past has also been questioned. His rapid rise to the top, catapulted to acting national police commissioner by former president Jacob Zuma had tongues wagging back then. And, before there could be more tongue wagging and barking over his appointment, he was a victim of the Zuma curse - thrown under the bus and dismissed by Zuma, ostensibly following an ongoing rift between himself (Mkhwanazi) and then Police Minister Nathi Mthetwa. But, in 2018, Mkhwanazi was back, this time as KZN Police Commissioner, under President Cyril Ramaphosa - a move which was largely criticised quietly as many felt he was too young and others with more experience had been overlooked for the top job. Mkhwanazi shrugged off the criticism back then and said he was ready to take on crime & corruption within police ranks.
Since then, he has fallen out of favour with many within his ranks. Some say it's because of his leadership style - abrasive and no nonsense, while others feel he wants the top position as national police commissioner.
More recently, he claimed he was being silenced for coming down on corruption and the drug cartels. Was he getting too close for comfort? Is that why he was suddenly the subject of investigation by the Investigative Police Directorate (IPID)? That investigation, bizarrely, was said to have been sparked by a complaint from Mchunu, claimed IPID. Then, they quickly retracted it, saying it was an anonymous complaint. South Africans are political sleuths and were not buying it.
But Mkhwanazi knew dark clouds were brewing. He claimed his refusal to concede to corrupt politicians had made him a marked target. And now, a torrential downpour is here. A storm, tsunami in one.
Having met Mkhwanazi and observed his media engagements, he is careful with his words. He is not foolish enough to make damning claims without proof - or at least doesn't appear to be. He has a file of evidence against senior politicians and their corrupt activities - he's confirmed this.
What ever his reason for going public now, his bombshell claims should have been backed with evidence. How else will South Africans know the truth? We don't need another commission of enquiry costing thousands of rands if Mkhwanazi has the proof.
It's time he revealed them. Show South Africans the receipts. Back up his claims or sink his reputation.
Mkhwanazi's claims are heading for a parliamentary showdown as political parties are already demanding answers. Many have already written to the portfolio committee.
Those implicated will no doubt work fast and furiously to prevent their names from being exposed if not out already. Behind the scenes, there's a frenzy.
The question is what will be done to silence the release of more information? Sibiya has challenged Mkhwanazi to take South Africans into his confidence and produce the proof. Mchunu's response was more muted but characteristic. He will review Mkhwanazi's statements before considering what action to take. Mchunu does not respond in a knee-jerk way so his response is to be expected. But he will fire back.
Mkhwanazi's revelations are a tip of the iceberg. He has a lot more. It goes beyond the task team into killings, or the abuse of the police slush fund. At the heart is this claim - the close relationship between drug cartels and senior politicians and how this extends into the judiciary. That's the power at play.
Mkhwanazi knows he's a marked man. His every move, every call is now being monitored. But he's fired the shot and there's no going back. In his own words, he is prepared to go down fighting for justice.
He must release that file and produce evidence to back up his claims. The era of shielding corrupt politicians is over. That cycle must be broken.
South Africans deserve to know the truth.
* Zohra Teke is a seasoned freelance journalist and contributor.
** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.
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