IPID's investigation into General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi: A smear campaign or genuine inquiry?

KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi appears to have won his battle to maintain his integrity despite the allegations against him.

Sources within the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) have told IOL investigators they were told to 'lie low, do nothing for now.'

"Nothing is happening. The team has not been selected, no statement received from Mkhawanazi, nothing. Seems like they've decided to just squash this thing about him. We don't even have evidence to work on, so I'm not surprised," a source within IPID explained.

The comments come amid a recent announcement by the watchdog that it would investigate a complaint that Mkhwanazi had covered up allegations of drug peddling against a prison official in KwaZulu-Natal. IPID initially claimed the instruction to investigate Mkhwanazi had come from the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu. It later backtracked, calling it an error, saying the complaint was in fact anonymous.

Mkhwanazi has vehemently denied the allegations against him and called it part of a smear campaign aimed at his clampdown against corruption within his ranks. A massive public outcry in support of Mkhwanazi also followed, with social media trending with ##handsoffMkhwanazi.

Trade union body, the Public Services Association, also said it believed the investigations had been dropped following the public outcry and embarrassing slip up by IPID.

"IPID cannot investigate anonymous claims without any proof. This looks like a witch hunt against the commissioner for doing his job. We are saying hands off the commissioner and allow him to continue doing a great job in KZN," the union's General Manager and spokesperson, Ruben Maleka told IOL.

Approached for comment, Mkhwanazi declined to discuss the matter, referring queries to IPID instead.

IPID spokesperson Lizzy Suping also remained mum on the issue. "We've been given instructions not to engage with the media on the matter until investigations are complete," she told IOL.

Pressed on whether IPID had received Mkhawanazi's response to the allegations on March 19, 2025 - the deadline given to him, she reiterated no further comment would be made for now.

IOL News