KZN Premier backs Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi for second term as provincial police boss

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has thrown his weight behind Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as he seeks a second term as provincial police commissioner, saying his leadership is critical to tackling crime and strengthening community confidence in law enforcement.

Speaking on Thursday, the premier praised Mkhwanazi’s work since his appointment, highlighting improvements in certain crime categories and closer collaboration between police, community structures and local government. He said his continued leadership would provide much-needed stability for the South African Police Service in a province long challenged by violent crime.

Ntuli said sustained progress requires consistency at the top, and that Mkhwanazi’s experience positions him well to guide the KZN police through ongoing efforts to reduce murder, gender-based violence and organised crime.

“Mkhwanazi has shown resilience and a commitment to partnership policing,” the premier said. “His renewed term would ensure continuity and deepen trust between law enforcement and the communities we serve.”

The endorsement comes as cabinet prepares to consider nominations for senior police leadership positions, including provincial commissioners, in the new year. Mkhwanazi’s supporters point to his outspoken stance at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into the criminal justice system, where he raised concerns about interference and corruption, as evidence of his willingness to challenge entrenched problems.

His critics, however, have said that policing outcomes in KZN remain uneven and that community safety is still threatened by high levels of contact crime, drug syndicates and politically linked turf battles. They argue that leadership alone will not be sufficient without broad institutional reforms.

Mkhwanazi’s potential reappointment has sparked debate beyond KwaZulu-Natal, with analysts noting that the stability of provincial police leadership often influences morale, operational effectiveness and partnerships between SAPS and civil society.

The premier’s support is seen as a strong signal ahead of the formal reappointment process, which includes national security consultation and endorsement from the national police hierarchy. If approved, Mkhwanazi would continue to lead one of the country’s most complex policing environments.

Opposition parties say they will monitor the nomination process closely and urge transparency, while community activists stress that performance and accountability should be central to any decision.