Mkhwanazi ad hoc hearing reveals systemic rot, say MKP members
KZN police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi during his testimony before the ad hoc committee.
Image: Henk Kruger / Independent Newspapers
THE ongoing ad hoc committee hearings investigating allegations made by South African Police Service (SAPS) KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, have revealed damning claims about the state of crime and corruption in South Africa.
Members of the uMkhonto we Sizwe Party (MKP) assert that the country is on the brink, stating that it is now in the hands of criminals who threaten the integrity of the nation.
At the core of these revelations, MKP MPs Thulani Shongwe, David Skosana, and Sibonelo Nomvalo spoke about Mkhwanazi’s courage and the precarious position South Africans find themselves in.
“I can tell the nation that Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi is meticulous in all his responses here, and he has done his spade work. He is a seasoned policeman, experienced, above reproach, who cares for his people,” Skosana said.
During the proceedings, Mkhwanazi was asked about his family's safety, and his response encapsulated a larger concern—he expressed that his worries extend beyond his immediate circle to all South Africans.
“That tells you that the man knows his story. His bravery is unquestionable,” Skosana said.
The MKP representatives echoed the sentiments of urgency for reform. Shongwe voiced concerns regarding outdated legislation, stating: “The lack of what we’re seeing is most of the legislation… as MKP we advocate for the change of this Constitution, which is mostly Roman-Dutch law.”
He warned that the current governance structures have failed to protect citizens effectively and advocated for a revitalisation of the legal system to ensure accountability.
The committee members drew parallels between Mkhwanazi's statements and broader issues within the province.
They referenced the murder of former African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa, noting that it highlighted the political violence prevalent in KwaZulu-Natal.
Nomvalo pointed out the implications of the Moerane Commission, which identified political killings as a scourge in the region, showing how corruption has infiltrated all levels of governance.
“The conclusion that we are making out of his testimony is that this country is rotten to the core,” Nomvalo added, outlining the consequences of a compromised criminal justice system.
He urged that significant action is required to root out corruption, declaring: “If anything, we must start everything from scratch.”
Together with fellow committee members, he articulated a vision for an overhauled justice system that directly serves the interests of the populace.
MPs clashed in Parliament over whether DA’s Dianne Kohler Barnard should withdraw from the ad hoc committee after being named in testimony by KZN police commissioner Lt-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Image: Picture: David Ritchie
Amid these serious allegations, DA MP Dianne Kohler Barnard faces increasing pressure to resign from the committee due to claims that she leaked classified Crime Intelligence information, further complicating the already fraught political landscape.