The gloves are off in a big public fight between businessman Calvin Mathibeli and KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
It all started after police raided Mathibeli’s offices in Umhlanga, Durban. This was the second raid on his business – the first one happened last year at his Fourways offices in Johannesburg. Mathibeli, who owns Calvin and Family Group, a big security company that employs more than 5 400 people across South Africa, wrote a strong letter. In it, he accused KZN police of running a witch hunt against him. He said they want to silence him before he appears at the Madlanga Commission. He even claimed there are plans to kill him, using the old excuse of “he shot first at police”. Mathibeli said he works hard for his success with honesty and does not take protection fees from criminals, taxi bosses or politicians like some others do.
He pointed fingers at police in KZN, calling them captured by his competitors in the security industry. He said they use their power for personal gain and quick money instead of serving the public.
In response, SAPS in KwaZulu-Natal released a strong statement on Tuesday evening. They called Mathibeli’s words malicious, baseless and unfounded. They said his accusations are threatening and reckless. The police explained that the recent raid on his premises was done by national head office, not by KZN police. They denied any part in it and said Mathibeli wrongly blamed them.
SAPS said Mathibeli seems obsessed with KZN police and especially Commissioner Mkhwanazi. They plan to take legal action against him for damaging their image. In a sharp reply, they thanked Mathibeli for “inviting” them to look into his business. They mentioned he benefits from a tender with the Gauteng Department of Health. Now, police say they will investigate his dealings properly. They stressed that nobody is above the law and any real wrongdoing by police should be reported through the right channels, not through public attacks full of lies.
Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi is well known for his tough stand against crime. He became famous for his evidence at the Madlanga Commission, where he exposed links between politicians, criminals and some police. Many South Africans support him for fighting hard to clean up crime and regain trust in the police.
This clash shows the tension between private business and law enforcement. While Mathibeli vows to fight until the end to clear his name, SAPS says they will not let false claims go unchallenged. The matter is likely to head to court as both sides stand firm