In the high-stakes arena of South African law enforcement, a fierce confrontation has erupted between two top police officials, with Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya openly challenging KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Sibiya has vowed to take legal action against Mkhwanazi, accusing him of spreading false and damaging claims during a explosive press conference that painted Sibiya as part of a criminal network.
This bold move signals a declaration of war, as Sibiya seeks not only to clear his name but also to expose what he describes as inconsistencies and potential wrongdoing by Mkhwanazi and other senior figures. The dispute stems from Mkhwanazi's public allegations on 6 July, where he pointed fingers at Sibiya and suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu for allegedly interfering in investigations and protecting criminal elements, leading to a national inquiry and heightened tensions within the police service.
Sibiya's response came swiftly through his lawyer, Ian Levitt, who sent a formal letter on 25 July demanding that Mkhwanazi retract the statements and issue a public apology. The letter specified that the apology needed to appear on Mkhwanazi's social media accounts, including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and X, to reach the wide audience exposed to the original claims. It warned that failure to comply within five days would result in court proceedings, potentially including a restraining order to stop any further similar statements and claims for punitive legal costs. The document portrayed Mkhwanazi's actions as a deliberate attempt to harm Sibiya's reputation, suggesting it served as a distraction from Mkhwanazi's own possible issues with criminal or disciplinary matters. It further argued that Mkhwanazi had unfairly subjected Sibiya to public judgment without solid evidence, effectively questioning his suitability for high office under the guise of public interest.
As the deadline passed without a response from Mkhwanazi, the situation escalated. When approached for comment, Mkhwanazi did not address the demands directly but instead questioned the motives of the inquiring journalist, implying possible ties to improper funding sources within crime intelligence or drug-related money. This exchange was later shared online by a social media influencer known as Chris Excel, who accused the journalist of harassment without providing evidence, further amplifying the public drama surrounding the feud. Sibiya's camp maintained that these tactics only reinforced the need for legal recourse, positioning the lawsuit as a necessary step to restore fairness and accountability in a system riddled with accusations.
This clash is part of a larger web of investigations and counter-claims that have drawn in the highest levels of government. President Cyril Ramaphosa responded to Mkhwanazi's press conference by establishing a commission of inquiry, chaired by retiring Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, to examine the allegations of political interference, corruption, and criminal networks within the police and broader justice system. Both Sibiya and Mchunu were placed on special leave pending the outcome, a move Sibiya has contested as unjust and inconsistent. In a bold counter-offensive, Sibiya filed an urgent application in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, targeting the South African Police Service, National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, acting Police Minister Gwede Mantashe, and Ramaphosa himself. The filing sought to declare Masemola's directive for Sibiya to stay home unlawful and to halt any parallel disciplinary processes until the commission concludes its work.
Sibiya's application also highlighted personal risks stemming from the public fallout. A risk assessment conducted by acting National Head of Crime Intelligence Major General Solomon Makgato on 22 July determined that threats against Sibiya's life were at a high level, recommending static and transit protection for three months. Despite this, Masemola reportedly denied funding for Sibiya's legal representation and security needs, leaving him without his assigned driver and protector. Sibiya described feeling exposed and vulnerable, especially after receiving direct threats, and emphasized that without proper safeguards, he and his family faced significant danger during this turbulent period. He reiterated that Mkhwanazi's unsubstantiated claims had not only damaged his career but also heightened these perils, reserving his right to pursue all remedies available.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate chose not to comment on Sibiya's revelations, stating that the presidential commission should proceed without interference, as it covers allegations involving police and other law enforcement bodies. Spokespersons for the national and KwaZulu-Natal police also remained silent on the matter. This silence has fueled speculation about deeper divisions within the force, with Sibiya's actions seen as a direct challenge to Mkhwanazi's authority and the narratives he presented in his press briefing.
Parallel to these developments, Parliament has moved forward with its own response by forming an ad hoc committee to probe Mkhwanazi's allegations about security matters. The National Assembly adopted a joint report from the portfolio committees on police and justice and constitutional development on 23 July, requesting that the committee complete its work within 90 days, with possible extensions if needed. The group is to be well-resourced, including access to external forensic and legal experts, and provisions for protecting whistleblowers. Emphasis was placed on public participation and transparency, with meetings to be held openly and broadcast on Parliament's television and social media channels whenever possible.
The committee's members include notable figures such as Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach, Ian Cameron, Molapi Soviet Lekganyane, Julius Sello Malema, Mangaqa Albert Mncwango, Sibonelo Nomvalo, Xola Nqola, Mdumiseni Ntuli, Khusela Lwandlekazi Nobatembu Sangoni, Ashley Sauls, and David Mandla Skosana. Alternate members listed are Dereleen Elana James, Dianne Kohler, Leigh-Ann Mathys, Lisa-Maré Schickerling, Crossby Vusi Shongwe, Thokozile Sokanyile, and Wouter Wynand Wessels. During a rally on a Saturday, EFF leader Julius Malema encouraged the public to share information with the committee, urging people to reveal details about drug lords, their protectors, and sources of illegal guns in areas like the Cape Flats and Khayelitsha. He praised Mkhwanazi for opening the door to such exposures and promised that the EFF's involvement would ensure the process leads to meaningful action, even linking it to unresolved issues like the Phala Phala matter.
The ordeal began in November 2024 when Nangy and an associate were traveling from Mpumalanga to JOHANNESBURG. Near the Craft Road interchange in Benoni, unmarked vehicles—a white VW Golf 8 and a BMW—forced them to stop. Assailants, reportedly a mix of police and private security, pointed guns, forced them to the ground, and covered their heads without showing an arrest warrant. They were taken to a private residence in Houghton, JOHANNESBURG, where their clothes were cut off with knives while handcuffed, causing injuries. Possessions like cellphones, cash, and Nangy's Mercedes-Benz were not properly recorded in official registers, violating standard procedures.
Nangy described relentless interrogation, with captors showing a photo of him dining with Jumin Ho in Durban and accusing him of buying airtime for extortion purposes, which he denied. Methods included beatings, genital torture with garden shears, choking, and placing a water-filled plastic bag over his head to force him to unlock his iPhone after over two hours. He was made to call his wife, with threats that she find Ho or receive him in pieces. His associate was separated and taken to Mpumalanga for more questioning. On 20 November 2024, further sessions involved hanging upside down and water torture, leading to one victim needing hospitalization due to injuries.
The suspects were later moved to locations like Matsulu near the Mozambique border and KwaDukuza in KwaZulu-Natal. On 9 December 2024, Nangy and others were allegedly removed from prison and driven to a private farm near KwaDukuza, where Mkhwanazi and Desai's family confronted them. Reports indicate Mkhwanazi told one suspect he should have ended his own life, followed by more torture in their presence. Nangy's Mercedes-Benz, supposedly in police custody, was found burned in Pietermaritzburg, suggesting arson by officers, a crime carrying a minimum 15-year sentence. Another incident involved burning down Mlotshwa's house in Matsulu during a search, even though he was absent.
Evidence gathered includes SAPS registers, occurrence book entries, hospital records, and border documents. Nangy reported that confiscated items—two cellphones, watches, R18,000 in cash, and the vehicle—remain missing despite requests to Captain Enoch. A raid on his Midstream home, allegedly by the Hawks without a warrant, led to more seizures and his wife's detention. The confidential report recommends charges like three counts of torture, two of arson, multiple perjury, kidnapping, obstruction of justice, constitutional rights violations, and unlawful cross-border extradition. It calls for an independent prosecutor and protection for whistleblowers, given the involvement of high-ranking SAPS members.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate declined to comment, referring to the presidential commission's scope. This array of allegations against Mkhwanazi adds fuel to Sibiya's legal offensive, portraying a police force entangled in its own web of accusations and counter-accusations. Sibiya's push for justice through the courts and the commission highlights inconsistencies in how cases are handled, from unequal treatment of accused officers to ignored security needs. The parliamentary ad hoc committee's formation promises more scrutiny, potentially uncovering sources of corruption and protection rackets that have long plagued communities.
Now that suspended General Sibiya is threatening to sue General Mkhwanazi, do you think General Mkhwanazi should apologise for what he said, or he should further expose Sibiya by revealing the evidence he said he is in possession of?
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