KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi
By Nkosana Khumalo
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has launched a probe into KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi over allegations that he interfered with the arrest of a senior prison official . The investigation stems from claims that Mkhwanazi abused his power by halting the arrest of Nelly Ndlovu, the former head of Westville’s Maximum Prison, who was implicated in a drug trafficking scandal. IPID has confirmed that Mkhwanazi must submit a sworn statement by 19 March 2025 explaining his role in the incident .
Alleged Interference in Prison Official’s Arrest
The allegations center on a 2023 operation in Richards Bay, where police targeted a high-ranking Department of Correctional Services official suspected of running a drug cartel out of Westville Prison . According to an IPID letter dated 12 March 2025, investigators have information suggesting Mkhwanazi instructed officers not to arrest Ms. Ndlovu during that operation . Official records – including a police report and an occurrence book entry – back claims that the provincial commissioner’s intervention stopped the arrest, prompting some in the security cluster to urge that he be charged with defeating the ends of justice .
Details from IPID’s correspondence shed light on the sequence of events. In early January 2024, a police team raided Ndlovu’s home in Empangeni (near Richards Bay) as part of the prison drug-case investigation . They discovered ammunition and suspected drugs – five R5 rifle rounds and a dozen pills – stashed in a dustbin on the property . Ndlovu was taken into custody at Empangeni Police Station after the contraband was seized. However, while officers were processing the suspect, they allegedly received a late-night call from Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi “instructing the team not to open a case” against her . Following this intervention, no charges were immediately pursued against Ndlovu, despite the evidence recovered. These claims are now at the heart of IPID’s investigation into whether Mkhwanazi improperly shielded a suspect in a serious drug case.
Minister’s Complaint and IPID Investigation
The probe was set in motion after a formal complaint was lodged with the police watchdog. Initial reports indicated that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu raised the alarm, asking IPID to investigate Mkhwanazi’s conduct in the matter . An IPID notification to Mkhwanazi referenced a “complaint of interference from the Minister of Police” and instructed him to cooperate with the inquiry . Following the complaint, IPID gave the commissioner one week – until Wednesday, 19 March – to submit a detailed statement under oath about his involvement .
IPID officials have since clarified the origin of the case amid some confusion. Spokesperson Lizzy Suping noted that a line in the initial IPID letter suggesting the minister personally requested the investigation was an error, explaining that the case actually arose from an anonymous tip-off . “IPID maintains that although it receives complaints and tip-offs from various sources, its investigations remain independent and impartial,” Suping said, emphasizing that the watchdog pursues the facts regardless of who alerted them . The investigation is still in its infancy, and IPID has stated it will not comment further until the inquiry is concluded . As of now, no official charges have been filed against Mkhwanazi; the focus is on gathering evidence and the commissioner’s explanation before determining any next steps.
Commissioner Mkhwanazi’s Response: Denial and Smear Claims
Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi has strongly denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the allegations are unfounded and driven by malicious intent. He characterized the claims as part of a “targeted smear campaign” aimed at tarnishing his reputation . “These accusations are baseless and unfounded,” Mkhwanazi said in a recent press briefing, vowing to cooperate fully with the investigation while maintaining his innocence .
From Mkhwanazi’s perspective, his actions during the contested incident were proper and within the law. He contends that the evidence against Ndlovu was not solid enough to warrant immediate arrest or charges . In an interview on SAfm radio, the commissioner explained that police had acted on information about drugs being hidden at the prison official’s residence, but the subsequent raid did not find narcotics in the suspect’s direct possession . Instead, drugs were discovered in a communal bin, raising questions about who placed them there . Mkhwanazi has argued that proper protocols were not followed during the operation and that there was insufficient proof to tie the contraband to the official, which is why he sought clarification and caution before proceeding .
The embattled commissioner insists his interventions have been misconstrued. He frames them as judicious oversight rather than interference – an effort to ensure arrests are supported by evidence and done “by the book.” Mkhwanazi has publicly stated that he remains focused on his mandate to fight crime in KZN and will not be distracted by “empty threats” or unfounded accusations . He has urged his officers to do the same, saying that no amount of false allegations will deter their crackdown on criminal networks .
Support and Criticism from Police and Public
News of the investigation has ignited intense public and political debate, with opinions sharply divided over Mkhwanazi’s conduct and character. Within police ranks, the KZN provincial leadership has closed ranks around the commissioner. In January – when whispers of these allegations first surfaced – the South African Police Service (SAPS) in KZN issued a strongly worded statement defending Mkhwanazi and dismissing the claims as malicious gossip . “Police refute the allegations and accusations contained in that vile communiqué as baseless, unfounded and a cheap attempt to create instability within the police machinery,” KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said at the time . He warned that the “poorly plotted allegations” seemed intended to sow enmity between Mkhwanazi and his superiors, and were likely retaliation for the SAPS’s recent successes against organized crime . This official pushback cast the claims as attempts by criminal elements or detractors to undermine a commander known for his tough stance on crime.
On the political front, the situation is more complicated. The fact that a ministerial complaint (whether direct or via whistleblower) sparked the probe indicates serious concern at high levels of government about Mkhwanazi’s conduct . It is exceedingly rare for a sitting provincial police commissioner to be investigated by IPID at the behest of a minister, a sign that trust may have frayed between Mkhwanazi and some in authority. Indeed, Mkhwanazi recently revealed to Parliament’s portfolio committee on police that he learned of an internal campaign to discredit him – information he says came from someone close to Minister Mchunu . This revelation hints at potential tensions within the police leadership, suggesting that Mkhwanazi’s assertive style or high-profile operations may have put him at odds with certain political figures. (Notably, the Police Ministry has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement in the IPID complaint, with Minister Mchunu’s spokesperson declining to comment on what she called “a plot to discredit him” .)
In the court of public opinion, Mkhwanazi’s case has become a hot topic. Many ordinary citizens and civil society voices have applauded the oversight, arguing that no one is above the law – not even a top cop – and calling for a thorough, transparent investigation. Anti-corruption activists note that if a police commander did interfere in a major drug case, it must be exposed and corrected to uphold the integrity of law enforcement. Civil society groups have been increasingly vocal about police accountability, and Mchunu’s decision to refer the matter to IPID aligns with those calls for transparency in tackling corruption .
At the same time, a wave of support has emerged in certain quarters for Mkhwanazi. The commissioner has a reputation as a crime fighter who has relentlessly cracked down on gangs and drug syndicates in KZN . His supporters – including some community leaders and police union members – fear that the IPID inquiry could be a politically motivated witch-hunt targeting an effective officer. On social media, hashtags like #LeaveMkhwanaziAlone have popped up, with commentators arguing that the allegations are trumped-up and expressing confidence in Mkhwanazi’s leadership. These supporters point to his track record: under Mkhwanazi’s watch, KZN police have made notable gains against violent crime, and he is known for “progressive policing strategies” that have drawn public praise . From their perspective, it would be counterintuitive for a commissioner celebrated for battling criminals to suddenly protect a suspected drug dealer – lending credence to Mkhwanazi’s claim that he is being sabotaged for doing his job too well.
Additional Context and Related Cases
This isn’t the first time Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi’s name has been entangled in controversy. The current saga began in the first weeks of 2025, when City Press and other outlets reported on a leaked police report alleging Mkhwanazi’s interference in the Westville Prison drug case. Those early reports named Ndlovu as the official involved and alleged that Mkhwanazi’s actions halted her arrest . The commissioner immediately came out swinging against the claims. By late January, he was publicly rebutting the allegations, giving detailed explanations in media interviews and issuing statements through SAPS channels to clear his name . That swift denouncement by Mkhwanazi and the police hierarchy temporarily quelled the rumors, and the story seemed to fade – until now.
Sources close to the investigation note that evidence from the initial case file raised red flags that could not be ignored. The fact that physical evidence (ammunition and pills) was found and documented, only for the suspect to be released, prompted questions within the criminal justice community about whether proper procedure was followed . Some security experts have suggested that if an ordinary officer had called off an arrest under similar circumstances, they might themselves have faced disciplinary action. This context added weight to the calls for an independent inquiry, ensuring that any possible abuse of power is scrutinized and either vindicated or punished.
Mkhwanazi’s predicament also unfolds against the backdrop of his past clashes with authorities. A seasoned police veteran, he notably served as acting national police commissioner in 2011–2012. During that tenure, he developed a reputation for an uncompromising anti-corruption approach – even famously taking on controversial former Crime Intelligence boss Richard Mdluli – which led to tensions with the political leadership of the day . Observers recall that in 2012 Mkhwanazi butted heads with then-police minister Nathi Mthethwa over his “abrasive” management style and refusal to back down on disciplinary matters . This history of standing up to powerful figures in the name of clean policing is cited by his allies as proof of his integrity, but it may also explain why he sometimes finds himself in the crosshairs of political currents. As Ian Cameron, a prominent policing advocate, remarked, it’s hardly surprising that a commander who has aggressively pursued rogue elements within the police could become a target himself . Cameron suggested that with Mkhwanazi’s contract as KZN commissioner due to end within a year, certain factions might be seizing an opportunity to derail his career before he possibly ascends to an even more influential position .
Ongoing Inquiry and Outlook
As the IPID investigation progresses, all eyes in South Africa are on KwaZulu-Natal’s police leadership. For now, Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi remains at his post as provincial commissioner, even as investigators compile evidence and testimony. No formal suspension or charges have been announced at this stage, pending the outcome of IPID’s probe. The coming weeks will be critical: once Mkhwanazi submits his sworn statement, IPID will evaluate his account against the evidence (including the raid reports and any witness statements from officers involved). If discrepancies or signs of misconduct emerge, the matter could escalate into a disciplinary proceeding within SAPS or even criminal charges by the National Prosecuting Authority – with “defeating the ends of justice” being a potential charge if it’s proven he deliberately obstructed the case . Conversely, should IPID find no clear wrongdoing, Mkhwanazi could be cleared of the allegations, bolstering his stance that he was the victim of a smear campaign.
The investigation’s outcome carries high stakes for both the police and public trust. IPID’s mandate is to hold law enforcement accountable, and its handling of a case involving a top official will be seen as a litmus test of the watchdog’s independence. Meanwhile, the SAPS leadership in KZN faces the delicate task of balancing support for their commander with a commitment to the rule of law. Police Minister Mchunu and other authorities have insisted that accountability must be upheld at every level, likely in hopes of reinforcing public confidence in the wake of this scandal . At the same time, many in the province are watching to ensure that a capable crime-fighter isn’t unjustly vilified due to internal politics or personal vendettas.
For the people of KwaZulu-Natal – a province battling high rates of organised crime – the saga is a reminder of the complex battles being waged both on the streets and within the ranks of law enforcement. The coming official determinations will not only decide Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi’s career fate but also send a message about how South Africa deals with allegations of police impropriety at the highest level. As the investigation unfolds, stakeholders from government, opposition parties, and civil society will be keenly observing whether justice is served impartially. In the end, the resolution of this case will need to strike a balance that strengthens the credibility of the SAPS while ensuring that effective leaders are not undermined by baseless claims. The full truth behind the Richards Bay arrest drama – and Mkhwanazi’s role in it – is eagerly awaited, with the promise that official findings will soon bring clarity to a case that has captured national attention.
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