Reverend Mo’hau Khumalo has publicly defended KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, accusing News24 of publishing what he calls a misleading and politically driven report undermining the province’s specialised police task team. The article in question criticised the unit for failing to secure convictions in several high-profile criminal and assassination cases, suggesting it had not delivered meaningful results.
Khumalo rejected the accusations, arguing they ignored the complex realities of fighting organised crime in KwaZulu-Natal, a province long plagued by political violence, hitmen-for-hire networks and deep-rooted corruption. He said many investigations take years to conclude due to intimidation of witnesses, tampering with evidence, and deliberate stalling tactics in court. He added that a lack of convictions does not mean a lack of progress, as the police have disrupted major criminal structures, confiscated illegal firearms, and made dozens of arrests that prevented further killings.
He further warned that the report risked undermining public confidence at a time when officers were working under extreme pressure and personal risk. According to Khumalo, sensational reporting that targets individuals instead of systems weakens morale within the police service and emboldens criminal syndicates. He accused some media outlets of pushing narratives that question the credibility of strong black leaders in security institutions, suggesting that Mkhwanazi had restored discipline and accountability since taking office.
News24 has defended its article, stating it was based on official court records and investigative findings. Editors argue that scrutiny of policing performance is in the public interest and forms part of democratic accountability.
The dispute has triggered widespread debate over how policing success should be measured. Critics of conviction-based assessments argue that investigations into complex crimes take time, while others insist that without convictions, justice remains incomplete. The clash highlights growing tension between law enforcement and the media as South Africa continues its struggle against violent crime and corruption.