EFF Leader Malema
By Nkosana Khumalo
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has alleged that KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, was on the verge of arresting the Minister of Police before being targeted by what he described as politically motivated charges. Malema made these explosive remarks on Friday, 21 March 2025, during the “EFF Sharpeville Massacre Commemoration Rally”, asserting that attempts to remove Mkhwanazi were designed to shield corrupt individuals in powerful positions.
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Malema Accuses Political Forces of Targeting Mkhwanazi
Addressing a large crowd gathered at the annual commemoration event in Sharpeville, Malema launched a stinging attack on those behind the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID)’s probe into Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi. He defended the embattled commissioner as a “patriot” and a committed law enforcer who posed a threat to corrupt elites.
Malema said: “Why we support Lieutenant General? Of course, we will never allow these criminals of the state to destroy Mkhwanazi, the police commissioner of KZN. They are doing so because Mkhwanazi is going to arrest all of them. I’m actually told that Mkhwanazi was about to arrest the Minister of Police; that’s why they charged him — so that they can destabilise him on his position.”
Malema continued: “We don’t have to harass officers; we have to protect every policeman who fights criminals. South Africa should never be a home of criminals. South Africa should be a peaceful home. Here in Sharpeville, our children must be able to walk the streets without being scared of being raped. We want another Mkhwanazi in Sharpeville. We want more committed policemen in the Eastern Cape, in the Western Cape, in the whole of South Africa. And we, as a nation, must protect the good police because they will look after us.”
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A Commissioner Under Fire
Malema’s statement comes amid growing scrutiny of Mkhwanazi, who is currently under investigation by IPID following allegations that he interfered in the 2023 arrest of a senior Correctional Services official in Richards Bay. The official was reportedly under investigation for drug-related offences. The complaint, initially anonymous, triggered IPID’s inquiry into Mkhwanazi’s conduct, sparking a political storm that has since engulfed multiple parties and institutions.
Mkhwanazi has denied the allegations, labelling them a “smear campaign” orchestrated by criminal syndicates with links to powerful individuals. Sources close to the commissioner claim that his commitment to rooting out corruption within state institutions has made him a target for political and criminal interests threatened by his integrity.
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ANC Leadership Backs Mkhwanazi
In a notable show of support, the African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal has publicly endorsed Mkhwanazi’s leadership. Jeff Radebe, convener of the ANC’s provincial task team (PTT), stated during a radio engagement in Durban that Mkhwanazi had shown “zero tolerance for crime and corruption” and deserved the public’s backing.
“I am very happy to note that here in KwaZulu-Natal, we have a very effective police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi, who has distinguished himself with a zero tolerance for crime and corruption. So let us support our men and women in blue in uncovering all the problems and crime that happen in South Africa,” said Radebe.
Radebe added: “Yes, there is a lot of corruption, but it is the responsibility of all of us as members of the community to report any malfeasance we observe to the police. Even the SIU and other law enforcement agencies need our support.”
This affirmation of confidence by the ANC is significant, given the party’s internal efforts to rebuild trust in the province following devastating electoral losses in the 2024 national and provincial elections. The current ANC PTT was installed after the previous leadership was disbanded, with the national office deploying 66 members to stabilise the party’s standing in KZN.
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Unions and Political Parties Defend the Commissioner
The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) has called the probe into Mkhwanazi “baseless” and accused unnamed forces of launching personal attacks to derail his work.
“We view this as a personal attack aimed directly at him, and we are satisfied with his commitments and efforts in working with our members to combat crime,” said Nthabeleng Molefe, POPCRU’s provincial secretary in KZN.
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has also raised alarm about what it describes as the “suspicious timing” of the investigation. Blessed Gwala, IFP spokesperson on Community Safety and Liaison, said the inquiry appeared politically motivated.
“It reeks of a concerted attempt to malign the character of Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi, potentially sabotaging his prospects during promotion processes. His no-nonsense approach to policing has set a high standard. His refusal to be swayed by political pressures has put him at odds with those who would rather see the system remain compromised,” Gwala said.
The IFP emphasised that Mkhwanazi’s leadership has led to a measurable reduction in crime in the province and a restoration of public confidence in the police. The party warned that removing him would “embolden criminals and send the wrong message to society.”
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Police Minister Denies Involvement, But Backs Probe
Amid swirling speculation, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has categorically denied lodging any formal complaint against Mkhwanazi to IPID. This came after initial reports suggested Mchunu might have been the source of the complaint.
In a public statement, Mchunu said: “I do want to repeat that I have not laid any complaint against Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi.”
Nevertheless, the Minister welcomed the IPID investigation, saying: “We welcome and fully endorse the statement issued by IPID on this matter. We need to intensify our efforts on effective and efficient law enforcement in the Republic of South Africa. The Ministry of Police recognises Mkhwanazi’s work in the fight against crime in KwaZulu-Natal. At all material times, the Ministry of Police works to uphold the rule of law and will do everything to strengthen mechanisms to fight against crime.”
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IPID Clarifies and Stands by Investigation
IPID issued a clarification that their acting head of investigations had made a mistake by attributing the complaint to the Minister of Police. The oversight has not, however, halted the ongoing inquiry.
In a formal communication, IPID stated: “The investigation is still in its infancy stages, and IPID will only engage on the matter once the investigation is concluded.”
They requested a sworn statement from Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi by 19 March 2025, maintaining that all proper legal and administrative steps were being followed.
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Public Debate and Political Fallout
Malema’s allegation — that Mkhwanazi was preparing to arrest the Minister of Police — has ignited widespread public debate. Social media platforms were flooded with reactions, many questioning the veracity of the claim, while others expressed concern over the safety and political independence of senior police officials.
Commentators and analysts have likened Mkhwanazi’s situation to previous cases where politically independent police officers found themselves under pressure or removed under controversial circumstances. For example, the case of former Hawks head Johan Booysen — also in KZN — continues to be cited as a cautionary tale of political interference in policing.
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police has also weighed in, with chairperson Ian Cameron calling for “caution and transparency.” He said Parliament will closely monitor the investigation to ensure it is not hijacked for political ends.
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Malema’s Broader Message on Crime and Police Reform
Beyond the explosive claim regarding the Minister of Police, Malema used his Sharpeville address to draw attention to the broader issue of crime in South Africa and the need for community-aligned policing. He insisted that South Africans should feel safe, particularly in historically significant communities like Sharpeville.
“South Africa should never be a home of criminals. Here in Sharpeville, our children must be able to walk the streets without being scared of being raped,” said Malema.
He called for more officers like Mkhwanazi across the country: “We want another Mkhwanazi in Sharpeville. We want committed policemen in the Eastern Cape, in the Western Cape, in the whole of South Africa.”
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Analysts Call for Independent Oversight
Legal and security experts have urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to appoint an independent retired judge to oversee the IPID investigation. The Public Servants Association (PSA) joined this call, suggesting that public confidence in IPID’s neutrality must be preserved.
“There are too many unanswered questions, and the political environment is highly charged. Only an independent judicial review can ensure that all parties are held accountable,” said PSA spokesperson Reuben Maluleke.
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