Disbarred advocate and polarising legal figure Malesela Daniel Teffo has lodged a criminal complaint against KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, accusing the senior officer of intimidation, threats of assault, and crimen injuria in a case that is expected to draw national attention.
The complaint was filed on Wednesday at the Sandton police station in Johannesburg, following an alleged incident that took place during a video call on 2 March. According to Teffo, the call occurred while he was having breakfast at a McDonald’s in Rivonia and was prompted by a WhatsApp message he had sent criticising Mkhwanazi.
Teffo alleges that the video call quickly escalated, with Mkhwanazi confronting him over comments made in the message, which referenced several senior police officials, including National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, in relation to a purported corruption case involving bullet-proof vests.
In his sworn statement, Teffo claims Mkhwanazi warned him that he would “remember this day when something bad happens,” and suggested that Teffo was aligned with a faction associated with Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. He further alleged that Mkhwanazi dismissed him as “no longer an advocate” and questioned the legitimacy of his legal status.
“I strongly believe that Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi has the capabilities and capacity to execute the threats he was making against me,” Teffo said, emphasising that he took the alleged threats seriously and is seeking further investigation and prosecution.
The complaint is expected to be transferred to the Gauteng office of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) due to the involvement of a senior police official. Police documents note that the allegations constitute a potential crime committed by a high-ranking officer against a civilian, necessitating specialised oversight.
Police records indicate that Teffo initially left the station without signing his statement, citing prior travel plans, but returned the following day to complete the affidavit. Screenshots and diary entries confirm that the matter is now officially under investigation.
The case is likely to reignite debates around accountability within the South African Police Service, particularly in instances where senior officers are alleged to have used their position to intimidate civilians. Legal analysts suggest that, if substantiated, the allegations could have serious implications for both Mkhwanazi’s career and public perceptions of police conduct.
Observers are now closely watching how the IPID will handle the investigation, as the case touches on issues of authority, professional conduct, and the broader question of civilian protection from intimidation by law enforcement.