A senior South African police chief has told a commission of inquiry that criminal syndicates have infiltrated the country’s police and justice system, warning that it faces the risk of collapse if reforms are not urgently implemented.
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who first raised the alarm in July, appeared before the government-backed probe on Wednesday. He accused powerful politicians and top police officials of interfering in investigations to protect criminal networks and drug cartels.
“It has been my aim to demonstrate that the criminal justice system has been subject to continuous threat and sabotage over an extended period,” Mkhwanazi said in his opening statement. “We believe it is at real risk of total collapse if nothing is done.”
At a July 6 news conference, Mkhwanazi directly named Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, alleging they helped disband a key crime unit probing politically motivated killings in KwaZulu-Natal. The unit had reportedly linked several murders—including those of two musicians—to crime cartels. Both officials have since been suspended and are expected to testify.
South Africa, one of the most crime-plagued countries in the world, has long faced allegations of corruption in its security forces. However, it is rare for senior officers to openly accuse colleagues and politicians of collusion with criminal syndicates.
Reactions to the inquiry have been mixed. Some citizens welcomed it as a necessary step, while critics expressed skepticism, pointing to the lack of accountability following previous commissions under President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, dismissed the probe as weak and insisted that Mkhwanazi testify first before a parliamentary committee, which he said carries more authority. Meanwhile, the opposition Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) Party plans to challenge the legality of the inquiry in court on Thursday, accusing Ramaphosa of ignoring past commission findings.
Louise Edwards, a crime analyst with the African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum, said the investigation could be a turning point if its recommendations lead to systemic reform and permanent oversight. “The issues raised are damaging effective policing and eroding morale,” she warned. “The real test will be in implementing outcomes, not just producing reports.”
