A judicial commission has officially been established to investigate serious claims made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Government Launches Commission of Inquiry into Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi Allegations
The commission must submit its first report by October 2025 and its final findings by January 2026.
The commission of inquiry into Mkhwanazi’s allegations will look into claims that criminal syndicates, including drug cartels, have infiltrated parts of South Africa’s criminal justice system. These include:
- The South African Police Service (SAPS)
- Metro police departments in Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni
- The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)
- The State Security Agency (SSA)
- The Department of Correctional Services
- Courts and the judiciary
The inquiry will focus on whether these groups have influenced investigations, committed acts of corruption, intimidated whistle-blowers, or interfered in justice processes.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga as chairperson of the commission. He will be joined by two senior legal professionals, Advocate Sesi Baloyi SC and Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC.
According to the government gazette published on Wednesday, 23 July 2025, the commission has powers to summon witnesses, seize documents, and conduct private hearings if needed for safety or legal reasons.
Why the Inquiry Was Called
On 6 July 2025, Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi held a press briefing where he said a criminal syndicate had deeply penetrated law enforcement and intelligence agencies. He said this posed a serious threat to the rule of law and called for urgent action.
These revelations have prompted the president to use Section 84(2)(f) of the Constitution to launch the inquiry. The aim is to assess the truth, scope, and scale of the allegations and suggest steps that could include criminal charges, staff suspensions, or major reforms in law enforcement.
The commission has been given three months to submit an interim report and six months for a full report. These will be sent to the president, the Speaker of the National Assembly, and the Chief Justice.
The findings may lead to prosecutions, disciplinary actions, or changes in law and policy to stop further infiltration by criminal groups.
The commission has also been tasked with recommending whether individuals currently working in law enforcement or intelligence should be suspended while investigations continue.
The process marks one of the most serious attempts by the government to deal with alleged corruption and criminal interference within its justice system.