By: Pamella Majola
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has told Parliament that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is not part of a criminal syndicate but is effectively enabling unlawful activity through his conduct.
Addressing an ad hoc committee in Parliament, Mkhwanazi clarified that while there is no evidence directly linking Mchunu to organised crime, the minister’s actions or lack of action is contributing to an environment in which criminal activities are allowed to persist.
Mkhwanazi alleged that this indirect role amounts to “assisting” criminal elements, as failures in leadership and oversight continue to undermine law enforcement efforts in the province. He stressed that such inaction weakens police operations and erodes public trust in the justice system.
The commissioner urged Mchunu to take accountability and implement decisive measures to address systemic issues within the police service. According to Mkhwanazi, urgent intervention is needed to restore integrity, strengthen policing structures, and curb the ongoing challenges posed by organised crime in KwaZulu-Natal.
The remarks come amid increasing scrutiny of law enforcement effectiveness in the province, where communities have raised concerns over rising crime levels and the perceived lack of accountability at senior levels of government.
Parliament’s ad hoc committee is expected to continue its inquiry into the matter, with further testimonies likely to shed light on the extent of the challenges facing policing in the region.
