The Institute of Risk Management South Africa has honoured KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi with a prestigious award.
The Risk Excellence Awards celebrate and honour those who contribute positively to protecting people, reputation, and profits while mitigating risks and promoting the safety and interests of the country.
IRMSA has recognised and honoured prominent South African leaders in the past years in the same category of the Risk Influencer of the Year; this includes President Cyril Ramaphosa and former Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, amongst others.
KZN’S NHLANHLA MKHWANAZI HONOURED WITH TOP AWARD
The President of the Institute for Risk Management South Africa, Bheki Gutshwa, and the chief executive officer, Yvonne Mothibi, presented the award to Mkhwanazi on Friday morning, 29 November.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) said the prestigious award is a testament to Mkhwanazi’s tireless efforts to promote a culture of risk awareness and resilience within the province of KZN and the greater South Africa. Under his leadership, the province has implemented innovative risk management strategies, ensuring the safety and security of communities.
Mkhwanazi who has been described as strict, determined, and highly disciplined said the award recognises SAPS’ dedication to risk management and its commitment to creating a safer and more secure environment for all.
SAPS national commissioner General Fannie Masemola congratulated Mkhwanazi and said that this achievement reflects outstanding leadership and the ability to inspire and motivate members to prioritise risk management, enforce the rule of law, and instill confidence in the SAPS’ crime-fighting capabilities.
“We congratulate Lt Gen Mkhwanazi on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to his continued leadership in this critical province,” Masemola said.
HIS BACKGROUND
Born in Edendale, a township in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, famous for the notorious violence before the dawn of democracy in 1994, Mkhwanazi joined the SAPS in 1993.
His initial deployment was in Public Order Policing, where he managed the Public Order Police responsibilities within the SAPS. Since then, he has been through all the levels and ranks and has successfully served in different management positions within the police service.
- Mkhwanazi holds a National Diploma and a BA Degree in policing. He has also been awarded certificates for qualifying for the supervisor’s role in counterterrorism investigations from the USA, bomb disposal from the Republic of South Africa, and crisis response teams from the USA.
- In 2005, he was appointed head of the Special Task Force for his outstanding performance and expertise. This branch of the SAPS manages all specialised operational sections, such as the National Air Wing, National Intervention Unit, and the presentation of Special Task Force training.
- The Special Task Force is the SAPS’s highest specialised operations task team. Heading it calls for special skills, knowledge, and intelligence.
- In October 2011, he was appointed by former president Jacob Zuma as acting national police commissioner. He replaced Bheki Cele, who was suspended and eventually fired for meddling in the R1.78 billion police headquarters lease deal.
- In December 2018, Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi was appointed as the head of police in KwaZulu-Natal.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT NHLANHLA MKHWANAZI’S EFFORTS AGAINST CRIME IN KWAZULU-NATAL?
Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
