KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has made serious claims before the Madlanga Commission. He accused Members of Parliament of meddling in police operations and compromising national security. These revelations have sparked widespread concern across law enforcement and political circles in South Africa.
The headline-making statement, Mkhwanazi accuses MPs of interfering, underscoring growing fears about political interference within the South African Police Service (SAPS). His testimony comes amid ongoing investigations into corruption and criminality within state security structures.
Mkhwanazi Accuses MPs of Interfering: The Core Allegations
Mkhwanazi named two MPs, Dianne Kohler Barnard of the Democratic Alliance and Fadiel Adams of the National Coloured Congress. He alleged that both unlawfully handled classified SAPS intelligence.
According to the commissioner, Kohler Barnard leaked sensitive crime intelligence to the public. He claimed that her actions disrupted the work of the SAPS Crime Intelligence Unit. He further stated:
“She is one of the leaders who is participating in both breaking the law and fuelling malicious attacks on Crime Intelligence.”
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Fadiel Adams, on the other hand, was accused of recklessly handling classified information. Though new to Parliament, Mkhwanazi warned that Adams’ actions compromised investigations.
Both MPs have publicly denied the accusations. Kohler Barnard called the claims “outrageous” and argued that she acted within her oversight duties.
Kohler Barnard’s Alleged Role in Undermining SAPS
Mkhwanazi pointed to a public statement issued by Kohler Barnard about SAPS’s controversial purchase of a property in Durban. He said this information was classified and should have been discussed within Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence.
“She has a legal obligation to keep her mouth shut and use the proper platform,” he testified.
He claimed her public comments pressured SAPS officials to reveal more classified data, thus endangering national security.
Political Killings Task Team Disbanded
At the heart of the controversy is the alleged interference in SAPS operations, specifically the disbanding of the Political Killings Task Team. This unit was investigating politically motivated murders in KwaZulu-Natal.
Mkhwanazi alleges that over 121 case dockets were removed from this team and sent to SAPS headquarters, where progress stalled. He claimed this was a deliberate attempt to “neutralise investigations.”
The disbandment was authorised by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who has since denied wrongdoing. President Cyril Ramaphosa has taken the matter seriously and ordered a full inquiry.
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Businessmen and Alleged Political Ties
Mkhwanazi’s testimony also implicated businessmen Oupa “Brown” Mogotsi and Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
He stated that Mogotsi, who is allegedly linked to Minister Mchunu, sent him WhatsApp messages asking about an ongoing case in KZN. Mogotsi even forwarded a screenshot from a police station’s occurrence book — a serious breach of protocol.
Regarding Matlala, Mkhwanazi claimed he received unlawful privileges while in custody, including access to a cellphone. He also alleged that Matlala’s private vehicles had blue lights registered to the Ekurhuleni municipality.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is now probing these claims.
Ramaphosa Orders Commission of Inquiry
President Cyril Ramaphosa established the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, chaired by retired judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga, to investigate these serious allegations.
The commission is also examining broader concerns about political influence in the SAPS and the judiciary. Parliament has launched a separate ad hoc committee to review the claims.
Ramaphosa stated:
“This is a matter of grave national security concern that is receiving the highest priority attention.”
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Public Confidence in SAPS at Stake
These allegations strike at the heart of South Africa’s fragile criminal justice system. Public trust in SAPS remains low, with repeated scandals, high crime rates, and a growing perception of impunity for powerful figures.
If proven true, Mkhwanazi’s claims could prompt significant reforms in police oversight and intelligence handling. Civil society groups and opposition parties have already called for urgent accountability measures.
A Nation Demands Answers
As the Madlanga Commission continues its work, all eyes are on SAPS leadership and political figures. The integrity of law enforcement depends on the outcome of these investigations.
For now, the statement — Mkhwanazi accuses MPs of interfering — remains a flashpoint in the national debate over crime, accountability, and democracy.
