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[File photo] KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi briefing councillors, traditional leaders, Community Police Forum (CPF) members and station commanders on August 23, 2024.
Organisations, including civic group Umnotho Wabantu Abansundu, will march on Tuesday in support of KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
The march follows Mkhwanazi’s allegations that senior police officials, including Minister Senzo Mchunu, are corrupt and have ties to criminal syndicates.
Mchunu has since been placed on leave of absence, and a judicial commission of inquiry has been established.
The groups will hand over a memorandum to officials at the Durban Central police station.
Umnotho Wabantu Abansundu Spokesperson Vincent Mdunge says, “We have the reason to believe that (Lieutenant) General Mkhwanazi is making a lot of sense, we see him as a last line of defence for the people of KwaZulu-Natal and the people of South Africa, and therefore the attack and all the issues that were raised against him by the Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu on an unsubstantiated investigation simply to stop him from effecting arrest from holding those that are in the pockets of the criminal elements at ransom.”
Mdunge says they are giving President Cyril Ramaphosa 14 days in which to respond, or they will make the country ungovernable.
He says, “We are saying as civil society, as a community, it is up to us now to rise against the system. We are therefore saying to the state President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, we do not want this commission that he has established because we do not trust it. We are not sleeping dogs. Mr. President, please do the right thing. We are giving the President an ultimatum of 14 days to reply to our call, and if the President does not do that, we are going to go countrywide to take over the system because the system is failing the society.”
PODCAST: Interview with Mdunge on SA FM’s First Take Programme:
Timelines and whistleblowers
Corruption Watch says the inquiry into the alleged infiltration of law enforcement agencies by criminal syndicates must have clearly defined timelines and ensure the protection of whistleblowers appearing before it.
Corruption Watch Spokesperson Moira Campbell says the seriousness of these allegations and their devastating impact on safety and security in the country require that they be pursued with urgency.
Campbell says, “Our key demand includes clearly defined timelines with no extensions, the meaningful protection of whistleblowers, public clearance that is broadcast, and accommodation of civil society input. We also insist on three and six-month reports as promised by the President. This commission must have the power to refer matters for immediate criminal investigation.” -Reporting by Kholo Tefo and Nonhlanhla Ntshingila.
