Durban – KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has requested that members of the public refrain from donating funds directly to him.
Instead, he encourages contributions to the South African Police Service (SAPS) Education Trust, which supports the educational needs of children whose parents died in the line of duty.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to the X.com user who came up with the initiative to raise funds in support of the work that police are doing to keep criminals at bay,” Mkhwanazi said.
“Although this original idea, supported by those who contributed the money, was to buy cows for myself, I appreciate the gesture and the thoughts of goodwill behind the idea of contributing money. I’m a civil servant, and the public already thanks me enough through the salary that I receive every month.”
He added: I’m privileged to have been one of those chosen to serve and protect the people of South Africa through my role as a police officer. I, therefore, would like to thank the public for their support. I would like to ask those who donated the money to please deposit the money into the South African Police Educational Trust.”
#sapsKZN #SAPS KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mkwanazi is touched by the support and gesture shown by South Africans. However, he cannot accept any donations or sponsorships related to his official duties, as his primary focus is to fulfill the mandate… pic.twitter.com/LA3OMw5Hah
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) August 13, 2025
This appeal follows a crowdfunding campaign initiated on the BackaBuddy platform by a social media user, which has raised R44,074 to date.
The campaign gained momentum after Mkhwanazi made serious allegations against the country’s security cluster, including claims that then-Police Minister Senzo Mchunu was involved in criminal syndicates and interfered in politically motivated murder investigations.
Mchunu has denied these allegations, and President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced an inquiry, led by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, to investigate the matter.
Mkhwanazi expressed gratitude for the public’s support but emphasised that public servants are already compensated through their salaries.
“I’m a civil servant, and the public already thanks me enough through the salary that I receive every month,” he said.
The SAPS Education Trust provides financial assistance for the educational needs of children whose parents have died while serving in the police force.
The funds raised through the campaign, once approval is granted, will be used to cover expenses such as school fees, books, and uniforms for these children.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
