Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia says KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s July press briefing was “not appropriate” under normal circumstances, as it breached police protocol.
Cachalia made the comments while testifying before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee on National Security, which is investigating allegations of criminal infiltration, corruption, and political interference within the criminal justice system.
“That kind of public statement was not, in any ordinary situation, appropriate, because police have a command structure, and professional conduct requires respect for that authority,” Cachalia said.
However, he acknowledged that when institutional systems fail, it may take exceptional courage for senior officials to speak out.
“Where extreme situations arise and those norms are not working, one expects bold, courageous conduct from those who hold important positions in society — to tell the truth, no matter the harm to them personally,” he added.
Cachalia has been acting as Police Minister since August, following Senzo Mchunu’s placement on special leave. The committee was established after Mkhwanazi’s explosive claims that criminal and political networks are undermining law enforcement operations across South Africa.