SABELO NSELE

AS South Africa anxiously awaits President Cyril Ramaphosa's national briefing, which promises to address the explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the nation is buzzing with discussions surrounding police corruption and accountability. 

In Mkhwanazi's hometown, however, the sentiment is one of pride and admiration for the bravery he has displayed in his zero tolerance stance against crime and exposing alleged corruption within the police force.

A week ago, Mkhwanazi's bold media briefing sent shockwaves through South Africa and abroad, igniting an unofficial national dialogue at a time when Ramaphosa is struggling to convince South Africans of the viability of the planned national dialogue estimated at R700 million of taxpayers' money. 

Mkhwanazi's briefing kick-started a national discussion around the deep-rooted issues of police corruption, party loyalty, and the pervasive culture of silence. His allegations pointed fingers at General Hamilton Sibiya and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, accusing them of having ties to criminal syndicates. 

While many have praised Mkhwanazi for his courage, others have condemned him for allegedly undermining police protocol by directly naming his superiors. Both Sibiya and Mchunu have flatly rejected Mkhwanazi's claims, with Sibiya accusing the provincial commissioner of overstepping his bounds.

The impact of Mkhwanazi's revelations sparked immediate action, leading to a protest in Durban where community members marched in solidarity with him. Furthermore, the public response has been overwhelming, with a campaign that started on X (formerly Twitter) by Azola Tabane raising over R38,000 to give him a gift of two cows, as a gesture of appreciation for the work he has done.

On the same platform, marketing specialist and published author Khaya Dlanga made a case for Mkhwanazi opening a political party. 

"I am not saying he will do it or even should. But if he did, it would be one to watch. Why would it work? Well, according to the 2025 Kantar Mzansi Barometer report, crime consistently ranks as a top concern for South Africans. Mkhwanazi has effectively become a national symbol of the fight against criminals, not just in KZN. From Gauteng to Limpopo, he resonates with ordinary citizens fed up with crime," wrote Dlanga in his long post.

In a striking development, General Fannie Masemola confirmed that in light of death threats against Mkhwanazi, security around him has been intensified, demonstrating the very real stakes involved in his fight against corruption.

Back in his hometown of Makhuzeni, Mpendle, the support for Mkhwanazi is resolute. Locals express a strong desire for the renewal of Mkhwanazi’s contract, which is set to expire later this year. Sadewu Ngubane, the local councillor, spoke highly of Mkhwanazi’s leadership. 

"As the Mpendle community, we are proud of the work he has done as he continues to fight those who break the law. We have seen the police officers he is leading in KwaZulu-Natal confronting criminals. Criminals now know that KwaZulu-Natal is not their playground," said Ngubane.

Ngubane also shared insights into Mkhwanazi’s character, noting how he frequently visits his family home in the area and mentioning his efforts to engage with the youth through initiatives like local sports games aimed at instilling discipline and steering them away from crime. 

"These games opened our eyes because they allowed us to work with the police to fight crime," he said.

Mkhwanazi has an extensive background in law enforcement, having been appointed to his current role in 2019 after previously acting as the national police commissioner in 2011 and serving as the police commissioner in the Western Cape. 

He has also held positions such as the Divisional Commissioner for Specialised Operational Response Services and the Commander of the elite police tactical unit, the Special Task Force. His qualifications include a National Diploma in Police Administration, a B-Tech Degree in Policing, and a BA Degree in Police Administration, showcasing his commitment to serving and protecting the community.

This week, several protest marches in support of Mkhwanazi were held across the country in Gauteng, the Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal.

In one of the protest marches held in Durban on Thursday, the provincial leader of ActionSA, Zwakele Mncwango, said they'd rather prefer Mchunu and others who were implicated to clear their names in court.Mncwango was speaking outside the provincial headquarters of the SAPS, accompanied by members of the party who were holding placards with the words "Hands off Mkhwanazi investigate now".

The founder of The Gift of the Givers, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, was one of the people who has expressed his support for Mkhwanazi.

As public support for Mkhwanazi surges, his future in the police force remains uncertain. However, one thing is clear: the people of Makhuzeni stand firmly behind him.-Additional reporting by Zimbili Vilakazi and IOL