Sandile Swana: Lt-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi needs support of all patriots, without hesitation

KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has displayed a high level of patriotism when he made the damning allegations against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, deputy national police commissioner, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya and other high-placed individuals, and must be protected by South Africans.

Mkhwanazi stirred the hornet's nest earlier this week when he made the explosive revelations, stating that investigations have unearthed a crime syndicate involving underworld figures, politicians, prosecutors, judges, and senior police officers. 

Political and governance analyst, Sandile Swana, in an interview with broadcaster Newzroom Afrika on Tuesday, said South Africans should rally behind Mkhwanazi, and be prepared to make sacrifices for their nation.

"Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, what he has done is an act of patriotism in favour of the nation of South Africa, to take the first step towards raising the popular masses of South Africa in their largest numbers, to reclaim South Africa from the criminal mafia that is entangled with political gangsters that are supporting the continuation of profitable criminal activities in South Africa, as indicated in the Organised Crime Index Report. All the time, the reports are there," he said.

"Mkhwanazi needs the support of all patriots in South Africa, without hesitation. People must be ready to die if need be, in support of Mkhwanazi and in confrontation of political gangsters and the criminal mafia that has captured the state in South Africa."

As President Cyril Ramaphosa returns from a working visit in Brazil, Swana said he does not expect quick fixes to the festering organised crime, which has been thriving for decades.

Earlier this week, IOL reported that Ramaphosa has described the allegations made by Mkhwanazi against Mchunu as a "serious national security concern" and urged all parties involved to exercise "restraint and discipline."

“This is a matter of grave national security concern that is receiving the highest priority attention. It is vital that the integrity of the country’s security services is safeguarded and that the rule of law is affirmed.”

“All parties to this matter are called upon to exercise discipline and restraint. The trading of accusations and counter-accusations threatens to undermine public confidence and sow confusion. Furthermore, these actions damage the unity and focus of the police,” he said.

On the other hand, IOL reported on Tuesday that Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen said Ramaphosa should act on the allegations made by Mkhwanazi, as he did with DA Member of Parliament, for deputy minister of Trade, Andrew Whitfield.

Ramaphosa fired Whitfield after an unauthorised trip.

Steenhuisen said Ramaphosa set a very high bar for his Cabinet when he sacked Whitfield for travelling abroad without permission.

“I would at least think that this requires a full parliamentary inquiry through the committee.I think Mkhwanazi should be given and allowed to come to parliament and set out these allegations. But then I think there needs to be a full and thorough investigation,” he said.

Steenhuisen said Mkhwanazi was not a person to make wild and unsubstantiated allegations.

“I was completely shocked by these allegations. I've known Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi for many years. I'm a KZN resident and citizen as well, and I've known him for his work there. I don't think he is somebody who makes wild, unsubstantiated allegations, and so I regard the allegations that he's made incredibly seriously,” said Steenhuisen.

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