Mkhwanazi
Cape Town – KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has sparked fresh debate by questioning Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s decision to classify the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) report on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala farm scandal as “top secret”. Speaking during his testimony before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee on 8 October 2025, Mkhwanazi expressed deep concerns about the handling of the document, suggesting it raises serious questions about transparency and potential manipulation within the government.
The Phala Phala saga, which has dogged Ramaphosa since 2020, involves allegations of hidden foreign currency stolen from his Limpopo farm. The IPID report, finalised in October 2023, probes police conduct in the matter, including claims of misconduct by high-ranking officers. Mchunu, a close ally of the president, has defended the classification, arguing it protects witnesses involved in the probe and denies any political pressure to keep it hidden.
This latest revelation comes amid broader scrutiny of corruption and interference in the South African Police Service (SAPS), with Mkhwanazi’s evidence highlighting systemic issues that could undermine public trust in law enforcement.
Mkhwanazi’s Testimony: Scrutiny on Classification Process
In his appearance before the Ad Hoc Committee, set up to investigate Mkhwanazi’s July 2025 allegations of a criminal syndicate infiltrating SAPS, the commissioner did not mince words. “When you hear a Minister of Police says I have a report from IPID that is classified, you need to ask yourself a question – you are not an intelligence structure (IPID) and yet you classified a report you don’t want to release,” he stated.
Mkhwanazi went further, probing why the IPID report ended up with the minister and how it was classified without proper vetting. “These are things that need to be checked because it is where the system of government fails. You worked to create legislation to try to protect yourselves and the citizens, but if it is manipulated… that the minister can just decide I am classifying this and I am not releasing it to the public, perhaps, does the minister have security clearance and how do you classify something if you are not vetted?” he asked.
His comments tie into wider concerns about political meddling in police affairs. During the same session, Mkhwanazi also called for probes into former IPID head Robert McBride and forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan, alleging their interactions raised red flags. He claimed Mchunu’s chief of staff, Cedric Nkabinde, informed him that IPID operations were planned at O’Sullivan’s house, adding layers to the intrigue.
The Phala Phala Scandal: A Timeline of Events
The scandal erupted in 2020 when thieves stole an undisclosed amount of US dollars hidden in furniture at Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala game farm in Limpopo. Reports suggest the money came from a Sudanese businessman, Hazim Mustafa, who allegedly paid $580,000 for buffaloes he never collected. The president has maintained the transaction was legitimate, but questions linger over the handling of the cash and the response to the theft.
In June 2022, African Transformation Movement (ATM) president Vuyo Zungula lodged a complaint, accusing top Crime Intelligence officials of using back channels to trace the stolen loot and suspects. Allegations included defeating the ends of justice, kidnapping of suspects, unlawful interrogation on private property, and bribery by police linked to Ramaphosa’s protection unit.
IPID launched an investigation into these claims, completing its report in October 2023. However, Mchunu classified it as top secret in early 2025, citing the need to shield witnesses from harm. Critics, including opposition parties, argue this move protects Ramaphosa and blocks accountability.
The trial related to the burglary has been postponed to September 2025, keeping the matter in the public eye. Opposition groups like the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, ATM, and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have demanded the report’s release, with some threatening legal action to challenge the classification in the Constitutional Court.
Mchunu’s Defence and Ongoing Tensions
Mchunu has stood firm, insisting the classification was necessary for witness safety and that no external pressures influenced his choice. As a long-time ANC stalwart and former KwaZulu-Natal premier, he has faced accusations of shielding the president, but he maintains the decision aligns with national security protocols.
Tensions between Mkhwanazi and Mchunu have simmered for months. In March 2025, Mchunu was linked to a complaint against Mkhwanazi for alleged interference in a correctional services official’s arrest, though IPID later backtracked, claiming the complaint came from an anonymous source. By April 2025, the probe was dropped, clearing Mkhwanazi.
More recently, Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu of destroying evidence in a separate case involving a death, based on information from Nkabinde. He detailed how Nkabinde, formerly with IPID, arranged meetings and shared insights into Mchunu’s dealings with McBride. These claims paint a picture of deep-rooted issues in the security cluster, including potential evidence tampering and undue influence.
Mkhwanazi also revealed that President Ramaphosa praised the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) after his July briefing, suggesting the president was unaware of Mchunu’s plans to disband it by December 2024. This unit, focused on high-profile assassinations in KwaZulu-Natal, has been a flashpoint in their rift.
Broader Implications for SAPS and Governance
Mkhwanazi’s evidence underscores fears of criminal syndicates penetrating SAPS, with political interference exacerbating the problem. He has called for investigations into trust funds linked to Mchunu and emphasised the need for reforms to prevent manipulation of laws meant to protect citizens.
Public reaction has been strong, with social media buzzing over Mkhwanazi’s boldness. Many praise his “no-nonsense” approach, viewing him as a defender of police integrity. Hashtags like #HandsOffMkhwanazi have trended, reflecting support amid perceived attempts to discredit him.
Opposition leaders, including EFF’s Julius Malema, have seized on the testimony, demanding probes into figures like McBride and O’Sullivan. Malema questioned why no case was opened against O’Sullivan for alleged state destabilisation, labelling him a “security threat”.
The Ad Hoc Committee, chaired by ANC MP Soviet Lekganyane, continues its hearings, with National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola set to testify. A report is due by the end of October 2025. Meanwhile, the Madlanga Commission, probing related matters, resumes next week.
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