How the ANC can turn Mkhwanazi's explosive allegations into a turning point for democracy

Nco Dube

South Africa stands at a perilous crossroads. The recent, highly publicised media briefing by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has sent shockwaves through the nation’s political and security establishment. 

His detailed and damning allegations, now in the public domain and supported by a trove of documentary evidence, have exposed what appears to be a deliberate, politically-driven campaign to undermine the SAPS Political Killings Task Team. A team that has, by all accounts, delivered extraordinary results in the fight against politically motivated violence and organised crime.

This crisis, however, is not isolated. It comes against the backdrop of the arrest and court appearances of seven senior-ranking police officials on serious charges, and a long, troubling history of political interference in operational policing, lack of accountability, and the closing of ranks within the ruling African National Congress (ANC). The public mood is one of deep scepticism, bordering on despair, about the integrity of the country’s criminal justice system and the willingness of the political elite to hold themselves to account.

Yet, as history often teaches us, moments of profound crisis can also be moments of opportunity. If handled with courage, transparency, and a genuine commitment to reform, this scandal could become the ANC’s most powerful chance in decades to win back public trust and demonstrate that no one is above the law.

The Anatomy of the Allegations

Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi’s briefing, as captured in his official notes, reads like a political thriller, except the stakes are all too real. The Political Killings Task Team, established in 2018 after a surge in assassinations and politically linked violence, has been responsible for investigating 612 dockets, arresting 436 suspects, and securing over 1800 years of cumulative prison sentences for the guilty. The team’s work has been lauded for its professionalism and effectiveness.

But, as Mkhwanazi alleges, this very effectiveness appears to have made the Task Team a target. In chilling detail, he outlines how, in March 2025, 121 case dockets were removed from the Task Team by the Deputy National Commissioner: Crime Detection Lt General Sibiya on the direct instruction of the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu. 

The Task Team was then disbanded, its cases left to languish at SAPS headquarters. The evidence trail, as presented, links the Minister and his associates, most notably Mr Brown Mogotsi, to a web of communications and financial transactions with individuals under criminal investigation, including those with lucrative police contracts.

The allegations do not stop at interference. They suggest a deliberate, orchestrated campaign to protect politically connected individuals from investigation and prosecution, to the point of compromising ongoing murder investigations and sabotaging the work of honest police officers.

Political Interference: A Persistent South African Malaise

To understand the gravity of these allegations, one must situate them within South Africa’s broader history of political interference in policing and the criminal justice system. Since the dawn of democracy, there has been a persistent tension between the constitutional imperative for an independent, professional police service and the political temptation to use policing as a tool for factional advantage or personal protection.

From the “spy tapes” saga to the revolving door of National Police Commissioners, and from the Marikana tragedy to the State Capture era, the pattern is depressingly familiar: operational independence is sacrificed at the altar of political expediency, whistle-blowers are sidelined or victimised, and accountability is reserved for the powerless, not the powerful.

Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi’s allegations are merely the latest and perhaps the most explosive manifestation of this malaise. The fact that his revelations have been met, in some quarters, not with shock and a demand for answers, but with attacks on his “lack of protocol” and calls for his suspension, speaks volumes about the entrenched culture of closing ranks and protecting the politically connected.

The Erosion of Trust: When the Guardians Become the Suspects

The consequences of this culture are dire. The South African public’s trust in the police, the criminal justice system, and the political leadership is at an all-time low. The perception, now reinforced by both the Mkhwanazi briefing and the recent arrests of senior police officials, is that the very guardians of law and order are themselves compromised, and that the law is applied selectively.

This erosion of trust is not just a matter of public opinion. It has real-world consequences: communities turn to vigilantism, political killings go unsolved, and the state’s ability to enforce the rule of law is fatally undermined. When ordinary citizens believe that politicians and their allies are untouchable, the entire edifice of South African democracy is put at risk.

The ANC’s Dilemma: Close Ranks or Open the Books?

For the ANC and President Ramaphosa, the temptation to close ranks, attack the messenger, and hope the storm will pass is strong. This has been the default response in similar crises from the Nkandla scandal to the Phala Phala revelations. Yet, as the evidence now shows, this approach only deepens the crisis, fuels public cynicism, and ultimately weakens the party’s legitimacy.

The alternative, opening the books, allowing for independent investigation, and holding even the most senior officials accountable, is fraught with risk. It may expose uncomfortable truths, destabilise political alliances, and even threaten the careers of powerful individuals. But it is also the only path that offers the possibility of renewal and the restoration of public trust.

Reading the Room: The Public Mood and the Power of Perception

It is crucial that the ANC leadership “reads the room” with care and humility. The public is not interested in procedural debates about whether Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi followed the correct channels. They are interested in whether the allegations are true or not, and whether those implicated will be held to account.

Moreover, as recent polling and social media sentiment show, Mkhwanazi enjoys a level of public trust that far exceeds that of most politicians. Attempts to discredit him, or to punish him for speaking out, will almost certainly backfire, reinforcing the perception that the ANC is more interested in protecting itself than in serving the people.

The fact that these allegations come on the heels of the arrest of seven senior police officials only amplifies the perception of a security apparatus in crisis. The risk is that the public will see not isolated incidents, but a pattern of systemic rot, one that reaches to the very top of the political hierarchy.

The Dangers of Sensationalism And the Need for Responsible Leadership

While transparency is vital and Mkhwanazi must be commended for his courage, there is also a need for responsible leadership in how these matters are communicated. Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi’s decision to go public with a sensational press conference where he was flanked by armed members of SAPS’ elite tactical units, while understandable in the context of institutional obstruction, risks creating unintended perceptions of political grandstanding or destabilisation.

 The President should, therefore, engage constructively with Mkhwanazi, acknowledging the substance of his concerns, while also cautioning against sensationalism that could further inflame tensions or undermine the credibility of the process. The focus must remain on facts, evidence, and due process, not on personalities or spectacle.

A Blueprint for Renewal: What the ANC and President Ramaphosa Must Do

So, what should the ANC and President Ramaphosa do to seize this moment and turn crisis into opportunity?

Prioritise Substance Over Procedure: The ANC must focus on the gravity of the allegations, not on the manner in which they were disclosed. Public statements should acknowledge the seriousness of the issues raised and commit to addressing them head-on.

Avoid Public Attacks on Whistle-blowers: Refrain from criticising Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi for bypassing protocol. Such attacks will be seen as an attempt to silence whistle-blowers and protect the powerful.

Resist Closing Ranks: Do not allow party loyalty or factional interests to override the imperative for accountability. This is a moment to demonstrate that the ANC’s commitment to the rule of law is real and not just rhetorical.

Launch an Independent, Transparent Investigation: Establish a credible, independent inquiry preferably led by respected figures outside the political establishment, to investigate the allegations. The process must be open to public scrutiny, with regular updates and full disclosure of findings.

Apply Accountability Evenly: If the evidence warrants it, cautionary suspensions should begin with the implicated Minister and senior officials, not with the whistle-blower. This will send a powerful message that no one is above the law.

Communicate with Clarity and Empathy: Revise the ANC’s communication strategy. Avoid defensive or dismissive language. Speak directly to the public’s concerns, using language that is honest, empathetic, and focused on solutions.

Engage Stakeholders Proactively: Reach out to opposition parties, civil society, and independent experts. Invite them to participate in oversight and reform processes. This will demonstrate a willingness to build consensus and restore confidence in the system.

Accelerate Security Sector Reforms: Use this moment to fast-track long-overdue reforms in SAPS and the broader criminal justice system. Strengthen internal controls, depoliticise appointments, and create robust mechanisms for whistle-blower protection.

Manage Internal Party Dynamics: Recognise that this crisis may exacerbate factional tensions within the ANC. The party must act decisively to prevent further fragmentation and maintain party cohesion around the principles of accountability and renewal.

Prepare for Parliamentary and Public Scrutiny: Be ready to engage openly in parliamentary debates and public forums. Use these platforms to demonstrate leadership, transparency, and a commitment to reform.

Conclusion: A Test of Leadership and a Chance for Redemption

South Africa’s democracy has survived many storms, but its resilience cannot be taken for granted. The allegations raised by Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi, and the broader crisis in the security sector represent a defining test for the ANC and President Ramaphosa. The choices made in the coming weeks will determine not only the fate of individuals but the future credibility of the country’s institutions.

If the ANC chooses the path of denial, defensiveness, and self-protection, it will confirm the worst suspicions of a weary public and accelerate the erosion of its legitimacy. But if it chooses the path of courage, transparency, and genuine reform, it can begin to rebuild the trust that has been so badly damaged.

The stakes could not be higher. South Africa deserves a government that is accountable, a police service that is professional and independent, and a political culture that puts the interests of the people above the interests of the powerful. This crisis, painful as it is, offers a rare opportunity to make that vision a reality.

The time for half-measures and empty promises is over. The time for real leadership is now. The ball is in your court Mr Ramaphosa.

(Dube is a political economist, businessman, and social commentator on Ukhozi FM. His views don't necessarily reflect those of the Sunday Tribune or IOL)