President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation this Sunday, 13 July 2025, at 19:00 regarding serious allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi against senior political and police leadership.
The President’s urgent address follows Mkhwanazi’s controversial media briefing on Sunday, 6 July 2025, while Ramaphosa was attending the BRICS summit in Brazil. The Commissioner’s statements contained potentially damaging claims about South Africa’s security leadership, prompting the President to prioritize the matter upon his return.
Presidency sources indicate Ramaphosa has spent the past week conducting high-level consultations about the allegations, which are understood to have significant implications for national security and police stability. The Sunday night timeslot – typically reserved for matters of national importance – underscores the gravity of the situation.
The address will:
Provide government’s official response to Mkhwanazi’s allegations
Outline steps to address any institutional challenges in SAPS
Reaffirm commitment to stable, accountable law enforcement
Security analysts suggest the President may need to address growing concerns about divisions within police leadership and potential political interference in policing matters. The crisis comes at a sensitive time for South Africa’s criminal justice system, still recovering from recent high-profile scandals.
The broadcast will be carried live on all South African Live Youtube Channel platforms, major news channels, and government digital platforms with simultaneous translation. Opposition parties have already called for transparency, while police unions urge caution against premature judgments.
This marks Ramaphosa’s first major intervention in police matters since the 2024 leadership reshuffle, with many viewing Sunday’s address as potentially defining for both SAPS’ future and the administration’s handling of security sector governance.