PRETORIA — KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has shaken South Africa’s justice system with explosive testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, alleging that MPs, senior law-enforcement officials and business figures sabotaged efforts to probe political killings.
Mkhwanazi named DA MP Dianne Kohler-Barnard, accusing her of unlawfully accessing and weaponising crime intelligence.
“She’s one of the leaders of our legislation that is participating in both breaking the law as well as fueling these malicious attacks that are happening in crime intelligence.” — General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi
He further claimed that Vusumuzi “Cat” Matlala, a businessman with alleged underworld ties, was unlawfully granted blue-light privileges after his personal vehicles were registered as municipal cars by a senior Ekurhuleni officer.
“Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala is one individual who has been enjoying too much privilege from law enforcement.” — General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi
Task Team silenced
Mkhwanazi alleged that the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT), established to investigate politically motivated murders, was deliberately dismantled after sensitive arrests. He pointed the finger at former Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, claiming he gave a direct order to shut down the unit. Read more here.
His testimony aligns with earlier claims that the justice system has been “infiltrated by organised crime syndicates” — allegations that prompted President Cyril Ramaphosa to announce plans for a broader commission of inquiry. Full context.
Mkhwanazi refuses to backdown
Despite vehement denials from those he has named, Mkhwanazi is refusing to back down from his explosive claims, insisting he possesses a trove of evidence—including WhatsApp trails, official vehicle-registration records, and internal SAPS orders—that will prove high-level interference in police work.
While Kohler-Barnard and others have rejected the allegations, Mkhwanazi testified that he will formally present the evidence before the Commission in due course, noting that some of it is so sensitive it may need to be examined in camera.
“The evidence is there that will support my conclusion. Men and women who are part of the investigation in Gauteng will come before this commission and confirm that evidence under oath,” he stated.
His testimony widened to implicate another parliamentarian, revealing that Fadiel Adams, leader of the National Coloured Congress (NCC) and a Member of Parliament, had also gained access to classified intelligence information he was not authorised to possess and had misused it by making it public. Adams had previously condemned General Mkhwanazi’s explosive July press conference, calling it a threat to South Africa.
As the commission continues, former EFF MP Mbuyiseni Ndlozi issued a stark warning on X, suggesting the Madlanga inquiry risks repeating the failures of the past. He pointed to the Zondo Commission’s inaction on an affidavit Mkhwanazi had previously submitted.
“The Zondo Commission… did NOTHING with Mkhwanazi’s affidavit. They never even mentioned it. Truth: perhaps many deaths would have been avoided had the Zondo Commission given Gen. Mkhwanazi the space to speak to his affidavit.” — Ndlozi (Source)
What the commission must prove
Analysts say the Madlanga Commission has three urgent tests:
- Authenticate municipal vehicle records linked to Matlala.
- Forensically verify alleged WhatsApp trails.
- Map who ordered the PKTT’s dismantling — and why.
Failure to address these could, observers warn, plunge the state deeper into a credibility crisis.
For extended background and NOWinSA’s running coverage:
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