Ramaphosa: Police allegations a grave concern
President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the bombshell allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, as being of a "grave national security concern" that threatens public trust in the country’s law enforcement institutions.
In a statement released by the Presidency on Sunday, Ramaphosa called for discipline and restraint from all parties, warning that continued public accusations and internal feuding risk undermining both the rule of law and the integrity of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
"This is a matter of grave national security concern that is receiving the highest priority attention, it is vital that the integrity of the country’s security services is safeguarded and that the rule of law is affirmed."
Ramaphosa reacted from Brazil, where he is currently attending the Brics Summit in Rio de Janeiro, hours after Mkhwanazi made explosive claims of political interference during a media briefing in Durban.
Mkhwanazi accused Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of ordering the disbandment of the KZN political killings task team despite its progress in combating organised crime.
He also alleged that Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, reportedly acting on the minister’s instruction, removed 121 politically sensitive case dockets from KZN — many of which had instructions for arrests — without consulting national or provincial commissioners.
"These dockets have, since March, been sitting at the head office, without work being done on them," said Mkhwanazi.
"Five of these dockets had already instructions to arrest perpetrators, but nothing has been done because a lieutenant general, Sibiya, withdrew all these dockets and is sitting in Pretoria. God knows why."
Mkhwanazi further alleged that members of Parliament, metro police, Correctional Services, and even SAPS are linked to a criminal syndicate operating between KZN and Gauteng.
He said he deployed members of the political killings task team to assist Gauteng investigators —an action he believes triggered the disbandment order from national leadership.
Mkhwanazi also claimed that Brown Mogotsi, allegedly connected to the Police Minister, had access to classified SAPS documents, suggesting a potential breach of national security.
President Ramaphosa promised to announce the steps his administration will take on his return.
"The trading of accusations and counter-accusations threatens to undermine public confidence and sow confusion," he warned.
"Furthermore, these actions damage the unity and focus of the police."
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