National Police Commissioner General Fanie Masemola has confirmed that Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi will remain KwaZulu-Natal’s provincial police commissioner for another five years. Mkhwanazi, who has led policing in KwaZulu-Natal for several years, has been a controversial yet influential figure in South Africa’s law enforcement circles.
According to Masemola, he approved Mkhwanazi to serve another term and has been in consultation with the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Thami Ntuli, regarding the contract extension. The final details of the contract are currently being finalized.
Mkhwanazi’s Tenure and Controversies
Mkhwanazi’s tenure has coincided with high-profile actions and public interventions that have shaped the national conversation around crime, corruption, and institutional integrity. In mid-2025, he made headlines nationwide when he held a media briefing alleging deep political interference and corruption within the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the broader criminal justice system.
He claimed that the Political Killings Task Team, established to investigate politically motivated murders, had been disbanded, and that more than 120 active case files were removed from provincial oversight, allegedly to protect politically connected individuals and syndicates. Mkhwanazi argued that powerful interests within law enforcement and political structures were undermining investigations into serious crimes, including high-profile killings and organised syndicate activity.
Key Challenges Ahead
As Mkhwanazi begins his new term, he will face several key challenges, including:
- Addressing the high levels of crime in KwaZulu-Natal, particularly violent crime
- Improving the effectiveness of the SAPS in investigating and prosecuting crimes
- Enhancing community trust and confidence in the police service
The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster has also confirmed the extension of Mkhwanazi’s term on social media, announcing that his term as provincial police commissioner will be extended by another five years.
