Mkhwanazi Demands Answers After IPID Drops Investigation Amid Corruption Allegations

KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has called on the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to account for its decision to launch, and then abruptly withdraw, an investigation against him.

“The Investigative Police Directorate (IPID) must explain to the commission why it launched and then withdrew an investigation against me – and why it said it was acting on instructions from then Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and later denied this,” Mkhwanazi said.

According to IOL, Mkhwanazi reflected on developments at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is probing allegations of corruption and political interference within the police and judiciary. Although a preliminary report has been submitted to President Cyril Ramaphosa, the inquiry remains ongoing, with IPID’s conduct emerging as a central issue.

Questions Over IPID’s Withdrawn Probe

At the heart of Mkhwanazi’s concerns are two IPID officials who, he says, claimed they received a complaint about him from then Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. This complaint led IPID to announce an investigation into the KZN police commissioner in 2025.

The investigation later appeared to stall following a sudden reversal. IPID subsequently stated that the probe was not initiated at the minister’s instruction but stemmed from an anonymous complaint, after which the matter seemingly fell silent.

SurgeZirc SA has also learnt that IPID consistently responded with “no further comment” or maintained that the investigation was incomplete. Mkhwanazi, however, offered a different account of events.

“Those individuals must appear before the commission and explain why they signed a letter confirming they received a complaint about me from the minister at that time.

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“The acting head of IPID then flew down to Durban with an unsigned letter, which he handed to me, saying they were withdrawing the investigation against me and that I no longer needed to provide a response.

“My reputation was questioned, and since then, I have received no explanation. The matter needs answers, and I’m hoping these individuals will provide them to the commission and parliament’s ad hoc committee,” he said.

IPID spokesperson Lizzy Suping indicated that the watchdog may still engage with the inquiry.

“IPID has been mentioned several times at the Commission and I think that we might be afforded an opportunity to engage on our investigative work. However, the Commission would be better placed to confirm who is on their witness list,” she said.

Allegations of IPID Capture and O’Sullivan’s Role

IPID’s independence has also been scrutinised amid allegations that it has been influenced by private forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan, who is currently embroiled in a defamation lawsuit with Mkhwanazi.

In his testimony before the commission, Mkhwanazi called for O’Sullivan to be investigated over claims that he coordinated and controlled IPID operations from his home.

Former IPID head Robert McBride told parliament’s ad hoc committee that he had consulted O’Sullivan during his tenure but denied that the watchdog had been captured. When questioned on credibility, McBride described O’Sullivan as trustworthy and accused Mkhwanazi of interfering in IPID investigations.

O’Sullivan rejected Mkhwanazi’s allegations, instead calling for an inquiry into the police commissioner and his removal from office. He has refused to appear before either the ad hoc committee or the Madlanga Commission, citing fears for his life following Mkhwanazi’s claims.

Despite this, Mkhwanazi remains firm. “He has a case to answer and must appear before those asking questions,” he said.

Political Fallout and Preliminary Findings

Mkhwanazi welcomed the preliminary findings of the Madlanga Commission but declined to comment on Mchunu’s position. The former minister is not implicated in the initial report, which recommends criminal investigations against 14 police officials named during the inquiry.

“I respect whatever findings emerge from the inquiry and welcome them,” Mkhwanazi said, adding that he had not yet seen the report.

Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya has stressed that Mchunu’s future will only be determined once he returns to the commission to respond to the allegations against him and after the inquiry is finalised.

Mchunu was suspended following Mkhwanazi’s allegations linking him to criminal syndicates. Deputy Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya was also suspended amid claims of interference in the Political Killings Task Team. The absence of adverse findings against both men in the preliminary report has sparked criticism online.

ActionSA MP and ad hoc committee member Dereleen James commented on social media: “Please excuse me while I search for Sibiya and Mchunu’s names on [the] list of referrals for investigation.”