NPA Dismisses Rumours Of Arrest Warrant For KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi

The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (Idac) has rejected speculation surrounding an alleged warrant of arrest for KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Rumours circulating on social media claimed Mkhwanazi was facing imminent arrest over allegations linked to the treatment of suspects during interrogations by the political killings task team (PKTT).

Several individuals, including activist Fadiel Adams and violence monitor Mary de Haas, have previously raised allegations that members of the task team used extreme methods to obtain information from suspects.

Mary De Haas Raises Allegations Before Parliamentary Committee

During an appearance before Parliament’s ad hoc committee in November last year, De Haas claimed families had reported alleged abuse by the PKTT during investigations.

“The abuses people were independently reporting to me – emotional and physical. There was the use of tubing. Many police officers do it, but it’s almost the norm. This is according to what everybody who encountered the task team has spoken of,” she said.

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“Emotional and psychological abuse, which they tend to use more often on the police officers they target. The emotional abuse was extreme. I’ve listened to it. One person was harassed into delivering false evidence against a former uMkhonto weSizwe member [not the political party].

“They seize phones and search houses without warrants – these are very common practices. This is illegal. The fabrication of evidence is a serious problem. Fabrication of evidence was a common practice.

“I’m hearing horror stories. Humans suffering. Dreadful stuff.”

NPA Rejects Social Media Claims About Mkhwanazi Arrest

Amid growing speculation online, Idac dismissed reports of Mkhwanazi’s alleged imminent arrest.

Idac spokesperson Henry Mamothame said the claims were false and aimed at disrupting law enforcement operations.

“These rumours are clearly started to disrupt and distract the work of Idac, as well as the responsibilities that Gen Mkhwanazi is discharging in the fight against crime,” said Mamothame.

“Members of society are urged to be vigilant against false information circulated on social media platforms, aimed at destabilising and discrediting law enforcement in the country.”

Mkhwanazi Previously Addressed Defeating The Ends Of Justice Allegations

The allegations against Mkhwanazi are not new.

In November last year, Mkhwanazi told the Madlanga commission that he was aware of a potential case of defeating the ends of justice that could be opened against him.

He said he was informed about the matter by Brown Mogotsi through a WhatsApp message on 30 September 2024.

The matter related to advice Mkhwanazi gave a colleague concerning procedures to follow during an arrest involving the acting head of the Qalakabusha correctional centre in Empangeni, who had been accused of possessing drugs and ammunition.

“I must say that what made me intervene was that incident, although the drugs and the ammunition that were found were not found in her possession, but were found outside the house where she was staying, which is a state house, which is within the state facility,” Mkhwanazi told the commission.

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“I advised the police officer, senior officer in charge of the operation, on how to handle that incident that occurred while making sure that the ends of justice are realised, the proper investigation is done and we don’t attract an illegal litigation against the organisation by arresting the wrong person.”

Mkhwanazi said investigators first needed to establish ownership of the recovered firearm and ammunition before making an arrest.

“It does not automatically mean that what you find in the area will belong to a person who resides in that facility,” he said.