The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) youth command in KwaZulu-Natal has called for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to drop its investigations against KZN Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
The IPID launched an investigation against Mkhwanazi in March 2025 for allegedly interfering with the arrest of a senior correctional services official.
EFF YOUTH COMMAND WANTS IPID INVESTIGATION DROPPED
The EFF youth command marched from Curries Fountain Stadium to the South African Police Service Provincial Head Office in Durban on Friday, 16 May 2025.
Speaking to The South African, Nduduzo Masango, a member of the EFF’s Provincial Youth Interim KZN, said the investigation should be halted.
He claims that Mkhwanazi has been targeting “big fish” in South Africa as part of his fight against crime, which is why they are coming for him.
“In his fight against crime, he has also touched influential people, so now they are fighting him. Since the EFF is against crime, we are defending General Mkhwanazi because he is fighting crime.”
“We cannot have a commissioner fighting against crime end up being removed from their job. The IPID should drop its investigations,” he said.
Community members who joined the march cited the investigation as a plot to bring down Mkhwanazi since he is fighting against crime.
Silindile Zungu, a community member from Amaoti, Inanda, expressed, ” The IPID should leave Mkhwanazi. This man has helped arrest four West gang members in our area. The West gang made our lives hard and we have been protesting against them for a very long time, so now that someone has come in to help, they want to chase him away because of their agendas against him? No, it’s not fair.”
IPID INVESTIGATION: A SMEAR CAMPAIGN OR GENUINE ENQUIRY?
The “no-nonsense” KZN police commissioner is known for his unwavering commitment and fight against crime.
However, the IPID’s sudden investigation against KZN’s top cop has raised concerns about its motive, questioning whether it is a genuine probe or a plot against him.
Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu was accused of initiating the investigation against Mkhwanazi. However, the minister claimed he did not initiate the investigation against Mkhwanazi.
“We welcome and fully endorse the statement issued by IPID on this matter. I do want to repeat that I have not laid any complaint against Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi,” said Mchunu.
Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi told EWN that the investigation was launched after acquitting counter-intelligence head Feroz Khan on charges related to a cocaine bust in 2021.
“I concluded that perhaps this whole thing come is coming up as a result of my acceptance of an appointment to be a presiding officer of a matter against General Khan. Lawyers were sending me emails and I started believing that someone perhaps wants me to back off from the case,” he said.
Despite allegations made against him, Mkhwanazi assured that he wouldn’t back off from the case, affirming his position as the presiding officer.
Do you think the IPID’s investigation into Mkhwanazi is genuine or not?
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