Key Highlights:
- KZN Police Commissioner alleges political interference and corruption within SAPS.
- Five dockets ready for arrest were ignored by national detective services.
- Serious concerns raised over mishandling of political killings cases by SAPS head office.
KZN Police Commissioner Blows Whistle on Mishandled Political Killings Investigations
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has dropped a political bombshell at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, accusing SAPS national detectives of mishandling crucial dockets linked to high-profile political killings in KZN.
Appearing before the Commission at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria on 17 September 2025, Mkhwanazi testified that 121 sensitive dockets-originally under the care of the KZN Political Killings Task Team-were transferred to head office, where they were allegedly mishandled, stalled, or ignored.
Arrests Were Ready – But Never Happened
Most notably, five of those dockets were reportedly ready for arrest following prosecution-led investigations. Yet, no action was taken by the national detective services.
“The least they could have done is to take the dockets and arrest those suspects,” Mkhwanazi told the Commission, highlighting systemic failure at the highest level of the police force.
Improper Transfer and Alleged Political Interference
This testimony follows an explosive media briefing held two months ago, where Mkhwanazi revealed that the dockets had been improperly transferred to the office of suspended Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Shadrack Sibiya.
The improper transfer, he claimed, reflects a deep rot of political interference and internal sabotage within the SAPS—particularly in politically sensitive investigations tied to KwaZulu-Natal’s ongoing political violence.
Court-Ordered Arrests Ignored
The Commission heard that court instructions for arrests were part of these five dockets, yet they were not executed. Mkhwanazi expressed disbelief and concern:
“Once a case docket has got an instruction from the court to arrest a suspect, then such an instruction must be carried out with speed,” he emphasized.
He further added that there has been no explanation from head office regarding the delay or refusal to act.
Why This Matters:
- Political Killings in KZN remain a serious issue, with more than 100 politicians, activists, and officials killed since 2011.
- The integrity of SAPS investigations is under scrutiny as claims of sabotage and corruption come to light.
- The Madlanga Commission’s findings may reshape public trust and future police protocols regarding high-profile investigations.
Related Searches:
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- SAPS political interference
- Shadrack Sibiya SAPS scandal
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