The Economic Freedom Fighters have launched a vigorous defense of KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, framing recent criticism of his leadership as a smear campaign orchestrated by criminal networks and corrupt officials. The party’s intervention comes amid growing debate about police conduct under Mkhwanazi’s command, particularly regarding fatal encounters with suspects.
In a strongly-worded statement, the EFF dismissed concerns about police killings as disingenuous: “These attacks on Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi originate from criminal elements and their political allies who are losing ground against our law enforcement efforts.” The party alleges that drug cartels and cash-in-transit robbery syndicates are driving the criticism through their connections in government.
Recent crime statistics reveal a noticeable increase in deadly police confrontations since Mkhwanazi assumed leadership of the provincial police service. While civil society groups have called for investigations into possible excessive use of force, the EFF maintains these concerns mask ulterior motives.
EFF provincial chairperson Mongezi Twala articulated the party’s position during a Durban press briefing: “When police return fire against armed criminals, that constitutes lawful defense, not brutality. The General’s effectiveness has disrupted long-standing criminal operations that previously flourished unchallenged.”
The province’s complex security landscape – plagued by political killings, taxi violence and narcotics trafficking – has seen intensified police operations under Mkhwanazi’s watch. These efforts have yielded significant seizures of illegal weapons and numerous arrests, earning praise from residents in high-crime communities.
“The difference is clear in our township,” noted KwaMashu businessman Thembinkosi Dlamini. “Criminal activity has become more cautious since these operations began.”
However, human rights organizations remain apprehensive. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate has initiated several probes into police shootings, though no conclusions have been made public. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has adopted a measured stance, emphasizing constitutional compliance while recognizing KZN’s unique security challenges.
The EFF’s statement concluded with a pointed warning: “Any politically-motivated attempt to remove Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi will face determined opposition. The safety of KZN residents must outweigh criminal interests.”
As the controversy persists, Mkhwanazi continues his duties without direct engagement in the public debate. Supporters highlight improving crime metrics in certain categories, while detractors question whether operational successes justify the human cost. The situation presents an ongoing tension between effective law enforcement and constitutional policing standards in one of South Africa’s most crime-affected provinces.