NPA Rebuts Speculation Surrounding Arrest Warrant for KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi
The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (Idac) has dismissed rumors regarding a supposed arrest warrant for KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Speculation on social media suggested that Mkhwanazi was on the brink of arrest due to allegations related to the treatment of suspects during interrogations by the political killings task team (PKTT).
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Various individuals, including activist Fadiel Adams and violence monitor Mary de Haas, have previously alleged that members of the task team employed severe methods to extract information from suspects.
Mary De Haas Raises Allegations Before Parliamentary Committee
When appearing before Parliament’s ad hoc committee in November last year, De Haas asserted that families had reported instances of alleged abuse by the PKTT during investigations.
“The abuses reported to me independently—emotional and physical. There was the use of tubing. Many police officers do this, but it’s nearly the norm. This is based on what everyone who encountered the task team has conveyed,” she stated.
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“Emotional and psychological abuse, which they tend to use more frequently on targeted police officers. The emotional abuse was extreme. I have heard it all. One individual was pressured into providing false evidence against a former uMkhonto weSizwe member [not the political party].
“They frequently seize phones and search homes without warrants—these are very common practices. This is illegal. The fabrication of evidence is a serious issue. It was a common practice.
“I’m hearing horrifying accounts. Human suffering. Terrible incidents.”
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NPA Rejects Social Media Claims About Mkhwanazi Arrest
In light of rising online speculation, Idac rejected claims of Mkhwanazi’s alleged imminent arrest.
Idac spokesperson Henry Mamothame stated that the claims were unfounded and intended to disrupt law enforcement operations.
“These rumors are evidently initiated to disrupt and distract the work of Idac, as well as the responsibilities that Gen Mkhwanazi is fulfilling in the fight against crime,” Mamothame remarked.
“Citizens are urged to remain vigilant against false information circulated on social media platforms, aimed at undermining and discrediting law enforcement in the country.”
Mkhwanazi Previously Addressed Defeating The Ends Of Justice Allegations
The allegations against Mkhwanazi are not new.
Last November, Mkhwanazi informed the Madlanga commission that he was aware of a potential case regarding defeating the ends of justice that could be initiated against him.
He disclosed that he was alerted about the issue by Brown Mogotsi via a WhatsApp message dated 30 September 2024.
The situation pertained to advice Mkhwanazi provided a colleague on the procedures to follow during an arrest involving the acting head of the Qalakabusha correctional centre in Empangeni, who faced accusations of possessing drugs and ammunition.
“I must say that my intervention stemmed from that incident, although the drugs and ammunition found were outside the residence where she lived, which is a state house situated within a state facility,” Mkhwanazi explained to the commission.
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“I advised the senior officer in charge of the operation on how to manage that incident while ensuring justice is served, and that a proper investigation occurs, preventing illegal litigation against the organization for arresting the wrong person.”
Mkhwanazi emphasized that investigators needed to determine the ownership of the recovered firearm and ammunition before proceeding with an arrest.
“Just because something is found in a location doesn’t mean it belongs to the person residing in that facility,” he clarified.
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