KZN police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has warned that South Africa’s criminal justice system is being continuously sabotaged and risks total collapse unless urgent interventions are made.

The Witness reports that Mkhwanazi, the first witness to testify at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry yesterday, said the system had been under sustained threat and sabotage for years. He urged the inquiry to act decisively to prevent collapse.

Evidence was led by advocate Mahlape Sello, who questioned him about his qualifications, his role, the establishment of the political killings task team, and his allegations of July 6.

The commission was set up after Mkhwanazi made explosive corruption claims in July, directly implicating Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and suspended deputy commissioner Shadrack Sibiya.

Media’s role in exposing corruption

At the start of his testimony, Mkhwanazi thanked the media for amplifying his concerns, saying their coverage drew the president’s attention and led to the inquiry’s establishment.

“I want to thank the South African media for the role it played in exposing corruption and spreading the allegations I made, which reached the president. I also want to thank the people of South Africa for receiving the message clearly. I wanted to demonstrate that the criminal justice system is at real risk of total collapse if nothing is done.”

He added that although his July statement had been presented alone, it reflected the frustrations of senior SAPS officials who wanted corruption and political interference addressed.

Matlala and Molefe linked to murder cases

Mkhwanazi detailed how the KZN political killings task team, before its disbandment, was called to assist Gauteng police with the murder of 30-year-old engineer Armand Swart, who was shot dead outside his workplace in Vereeniging in April 2024.

Investigations linked an AK-47 rifle and two pistols seized from controversial businessmen Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala and Katiso ‘KT’ Molefe to at least 18 murder and attempted murder cases.

These included the killings of Swart, DJ Sumbody, DJ Vintos and Don Tindleni, as well as the attempted murder of taxi boss Joe Sibanyoni.

National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed the ballistic matches.

Mkhwanazi said Matlala — accused of orchestrating the 2023 hit on actress and socialite Tebogo Thobejane — was first questioned in December but only arrested in May.

He further alleged that the Swart investigation uncovered ‘high-level connections’ between politicians and detectives.

“The investigative team was reduced from five to two detectives, which made them feel they needed back-up to protect themselves. That is when the political killings task team became involved, which led to the arrests.”

Mkhwanazi added that Lieutenant General Dumisani Khumalo, who headed the task team, would testify on the deployment of the unit to Gauteng.

Disbandment of task team questioned

On the controversial disbandment of the task team in January, Mkhwanazi said he still could not understand the minister’s decision.

“This is one team that has been successful, and for it to get this kind of [disbandment] letter didn’t make sense. I believe someone influenced the minister to make this decision.”

He said Mchunu’s claim that the team ‘was no longer adding value’ was unfounded, particularly as no briefing had taken place before the decision.

Mkhwanazi added that 121 case dockets from the task team had since been moved to the national department without explanation.

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