In a bold and unwavering stand against corruption and crime, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi is tightening the noose on corrupt officials within his ranks, exposing a network of corrupt politicians, and refusing to back down despite mounting dangers to his life. In an exclusive interview with IOL, Mkhwanazi addressed the smear campaigns designed to silence him and reaffirmed his commitment to stamping out internal corruption, with a sharp focus on the abuse of state resources.
One of the biggest revelations Mkhwanazi shared concerns the SAP Secret Fund—a program meant for confidential police operations. According to Mkhwanazi, some senior officials and politicians have been exploiting this fund, charging exorbitant amounts for properties allegedly being used as safe houses, when in reality, they are not. These properties often serve as nothing more than personal residences, yet the corrupt individuals behind the scam continue to pocket vast sums of public money.
“I’m closing the taps on abuse and internal corruption, and that’s why I’m being targeted. But it won’t stop me. We’re putting an end to the exploitation of the SAP Secret Fund, which has been misused for a long time,” Mkhwanazi asserted. He emphasized the need for greater oversight over the fund and vowed to terminate all fraudulent agreements.
But it’s not just corruption within the force that’s under scrutiny. Mkhwanazi also revealed a startling truth about the prevalence of inside jobs in cash-in-transit heists. “90% of these heists are inside jobs. There is one security company transporting cash that is never targeted, and it’s because they have their internal security in place,” he explained. The commissioner pointed to a disturbing pattern where security personnel working for other companies are complicit in the heists, often surrendering weapons to criminals and allowing them to make off with the cash. Mkhwanazi’s team is working tirelessly to close these gaps and hold those responsible accountable.
Amidst these efforts, Mkhwanazi has faced allegations of corruption himself. However, he has rejected the accusations as “fake news,” labeling them as part of a larger scheme to intimidate him and derail his fight against corruption.
Despite these challenges, Mkhwanazi has earned the backing of many business leaders, who recognize the positive changes he is spearheading in KZN. At a recent meeting with business leaders in Durban, the commissioner announced several new measures to combat crime and bolster the economy. These include enhanced surveillance using drones, the installation of more cameras in crime hotspots, and efforts to address homelessness in eThekwini. His plans aim to restore confidence in the province and drive tourism growth.
Durban Chamber of Commerce CEO Palesa Phili lauded Mkhwanazi’s initiatives, praising his collaborative approach with businesses to fight crime. “As a chamber, we believe in strong partnerships to achieve outcomes, and we fully support the commissioner’s work,” Phili said.
And it’s not just small businesses that are noticing the difference. Top KZN businessman Andrzej Kiepiela from the KZN Growth Coalition credited Mkhwanazi with drastically reducing the influence of construction mafias in the province. “Before the commissioner’s tenure, we faced 60-80 cases of construction project hijackings. Today, that number has dropped to just 6, thanks to a rapid-response system with the police,” Kiepiela shared.
With economic renewal, political reform, and aggressive crime-fighting measures on the horizon, Mkhwanazi’s efforts seem to be breathing new life into KZN. The support from business leaders signals that a positive transformation is taking place in the province, with more investment and improved safety bringing hope to both residents and entrepreneurs alike.
