The South African Police Service (SAPS) is facing one of its most explosive internal crises in recent years, following allegations of political interference, criminal collusion, and attempts to suppress high-profile investigations.
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has accused senior political figures of dismantling a special task team probing politically motivated killings—after it uncovered connections between criminal syndicates and high-ranking officials.
In a bombshell statement, Mkhwanazi revealed that the elite unit, launched in 2018 and supported by the National Prosecuting Authority, State Security, and Coral Services, had investigated over 600 dockets, leading to 436 arrests, the recovery of 156 weapons—55 linked to political killings—and 128 convictions across 106 cases.
These resulted in 29 life sentences and more than 180 years of combined prison terms.
However, on 26 March 2025, 121 active dockets were reportedly seized by the Deputy National Commissioner of Crime Detection, Lieutenant General Sibiya, on orders from Police Minister Senzo Mchunu—without the knowledge of Mkhwanazi or the national commissioner.
The files have since remained untouched in Pretoria, despite warrants being issued in several of the cases.
Mkhwanazi claims the real motive behind the task team’s disbandment lies not in its KwaZulu-Natal operations, but its success in Gauteng, where it helped dismantle a powerful syndicate involving politicians, SAPS officers, prosecutors, and business elites linked to an international drug cartel.
At the heart of the scandal is Vusi Muzi, alias Kat Matlala, arrested in May for attempted murder.
Matlala, who had secured a R360 million SAPS contract in 2024, allegedly maintained close ties with Minister Mchunu and his associate, Brown Mokgotsi.
Leaked messages between Mokgotsi and Matlala suggest advance knowledge of the task team’s shutdown, with references to political favours and financial support.
Following the cancellation of his contract, Matlala allegedly threatened to leak compromising messages to the media.
Days later, on 25 June, the task team’s project coordinator was arrested, and the next day, a key accused was granted bail.
Adding further complexity, classified Crime Intelligence documents were reportedly handed to an MP, who then laid criminal charges in Gauteng.
Minister Mchunu’s chief of staff subsequently ordered IDAC to investigate, raising concerns about the agency’s role.
Mkhwanazi also denounced a “peace meeting” orchestrated by the Minister at his official residence, stating, “Surely there can never be peace between a criminal and a police officer.”
He criticised the suspension of Crime Intelligence appointments since December and questioned how a retired official with no investigative experience was appointed lead IDAC investigator with unrestricted access to intelligence sites.
Despite mounting pressure and what he calls a campaign to silence the truth, Mkhwanazi vowed to continue the fight: “I will die for this badge.
I will die for them.
So I will fight this fight until the end… Sometimes, law can stand in the way of justice. We must choose justice.”
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