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JOHANESBURG - The South African justice system is at risk of ‘total collapse’ unless urgent action is taken, KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi warned yesterday as he opened testimony at the Madlanga Commission. 

Mkhwanazi was the first witness to testify before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga.

The commission, currently sitting at the Bridgette Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria, is investigating alleged political interference within the South African Police Service (SAPS), the existence of criminal networks and the shielding of criminal syndicates within law enforcement structures. Mkhwanazi made headlines on July 6, 2025 when he delivered a dramatic media briefing dressed in Special Task Force (STF)camouflage and flanked by heavily armed STF and Tactical Response Team members.

Declaring he was in ‘combat mode’ and ready to ‘die for the badge’, he made serious allegations against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Deputy National Commissioner Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya.

He accused Mchunu of political interference, including allegedly shutting down a task team probing political killings. Both Mchunu and Sibiya have denied the allegations.

Taking the stand, Mkhwanazi confirmed the accuracy of his initial statement. He was questioned by evidence leader Advocate Mahlape Sello, SC, on the origins of the document that formed the basis of the July 6 briefing.

“Commissioner, on July 6, when I made this address to South Africans, it was because I wanted to inform the public about the challenges we face as the South African Police Service,” Mkhwanazi said. “These challenges involve criminality, political interference in our work and corruption within the justice system, of which we are a part as law enforcement.”

KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi opening testimony at the Madlanga Commission yesterday. (Pic: The Citizen)