Day two of the Madlanga Commission into political killings in KwaZulu-Natal once again placed the country’s criminal justice system under the spotlight, as provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi continued his explosive testimony.
Mkhwanazi, who first shook the political establishment in July with allegations of entrenched corruption within the police and links between senior politicians and crime syndicates, told the commission chaired by Justice Madlanga that political interference in policing was not a thing of the past. “Commissioner, there is a lot of interference with these investigations in different forms … business people and politicians influence dockets in order to close them. This remains the case to date,” he testified.
Murder cases turned into inquests
Mkhwanazi detailed how political killings were deliberately mishandled. “Murder cases were treated as inquests. The NPA insisted on formal inquests instead of trials, demanding unreasonable levels of evidence despite overwhelming proof. Some cases were ready for arrests, but headquarters did not act,” he said.
He further clarified that he was not involved in the controversial movement of dockets from KwaZulu-Natal to Pretoria. “I did not move the 121 dockets. Headquarters must explain the discrepancy between the 121 I knew of and the 123 they recorded,” he said.
He also gave a shocking example of how alleged hitmen managed to slip through the system. One suspect accused of carrying out political assassinations was granted bail of only R10,000 before being rearrested.
Political Killings Task Team disbandment
The disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) remained central to Thursday’s proceedings. On Wednesday, questions were raised about the dates on which suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu issued the directive to shut the unit down. While one commissioner said the letter was dated 2 January 2025, Mkhwanazi confirmed that the document bore the date 31 December 2024.
Pressed on whether the directive was implemented immediately, Mkhwanazi said:
“The instruction was not officially given to me. It would have gone to the National Commissioner, and he did not communicate anything to me. What I know is that the team continued working, but its numbers were reduced. Many officers withdrew back to their stations, possibly because of budget issues. But I did not disband the team.”
He insisted that the move to disband the PKTT was unlawful and politically motivated. “I believe the minister issued the directive because someone whispered in his ear that the team was investigating cases linking his associates to political killings. Objective evidence militated against the dissolution. The decision was influenced by information outside police processes and served the interests of those impacted by investigations,” Mkhwanazi said.
Evidence leader pushes for clarity
Evidence leader Advocate Mahlape Sello asked the commissioner to read from his interview notes, which laid bare the extent of sabotage faced by the task team. “The PKTT was not only fighting criminal syndicates but was also forced to contend with forces within the state apparatus indirectly fighting it through the executive, the minister, and highly placed members of SAPS. They sought to sabotage critical investigations,” Mkhwanazi read.
He added that his outspoken stance came at personal risk. “After this interview, the target on my back grew exponentially. I could not keep quiet and allow the minister to take his drastic action,” he said.
The commissioner also revealed links between Mchunu’s associates and criminal cartels. He identified businessman Brown Mogotse, described as close to the minister, as being connected to alleged crime boss Vusimuzi Matlala. “Matlala is a prominent cartel member under investigation in Gauteng and a direct target of the organised crime unit. The PKTT worked with them as part of GCI operations,” Mkhwanazi testified.
Matlala bail denied
Just a day before Mkhwanazi’s day 2 remarks, the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court dismissed Matlala’s bail application, ruling that he was a flight risk with financial means to evade trial. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) argued that releasing him posed a danger to witnesses and risked interference with investigations. “We are satisfied the court has protected the integrity of this matter by refusing bail,” NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane told African Times.
Families of victims left in limbo
Mkhwanazi said the greatest victims of the broken system remained families who lost loved ones in political killings. “They are left without closure because cases are stalled or deliberately redirected. Many sit for years waiting for justice that is denied,” he told the commission.
Abuse of intelligence by politicians
The commissioner also flagged alleged abuse of state resources by elected officials. He accused MP Fadiel Adams of misusing crime intelligence information for personal ends. “He used crime intelligence to open a case, seemingly abusing his influence at the highest levels of police,” Mkhwanazi said.
Zuma’s MK Party moves to stop commission
Meanwhile, in Johannesburg, former president Jacob Zuma and his MK Party were in court seeking to halt the commission altogether, arguing that it was politically motivated.
Public reaction
South Africans followed the proceedings closely on social media. Political analyst Ongama Mtimka drew a sporting comparison: “When you have focused people in leadership roles! Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi seems to be to the police what Rassie Erasmus is in SA rugby: meticulous and passionate about his job.”
Another user, Thabang Motsohi, wrote: “We don’t have to look further for the next National Commissioner. We must not lose a gem such as this. He is ethically sound and a star policeman.”
As the Madlanga Commission enters its second day, Mkhwanazi’s testimony continues to shake both the police service and the political elite, laying bare how political meddling has hollowed out South Africa’s ability to fight organised crime.
