Pretoria – Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia says appointing KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to head the Hawks would strengthen the country’s fight against organised crime.
Cachalia has asked Cabinet to approve Mkhwanazi’s appointment as national head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), which is responsible for investigating serious organised crime, corruption and other priority offences.
However, the appointment is not yet final. Cachalia said the law requires Cabinet concurrence and parliamentary confirmation before Mkhwanazi can take up the position.
“I am the appointing authority. But that power is subject to concurrence of the Cabinet and confirmation by Parliament. And those processes will now unfold,” he said.
[WATCH] “Under the law, I am the appointing authority,” says Firoz Cachalia on his decision to appoint Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as head of the DPCI. He says the position was advertised twice, but no suitable candidate was identified. #Newzroom405 https://t.co/kdH89GOBUF
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) October 30, 2026
Cachalia said the Hawks leadership position was crucial to tackling drug trafficking networks, organised criminal groups and gangs terrorising communities.
He said fighting organised crime had been made a priority and that he was committed to strengthening the DPCI in cooperation with the national police commissioner.
“I can’t sit on my laurels and talk about fighting organised crime without taking the action to ensure that we are able to take the fight to the cartel bosses,” Cachalia said.
WATCH | Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia says his decision to seek Cabinet approval for Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to head the Hawks (DPCI) is aimed at strengthening the fight against organised crime. https://t.co/OPwN3AsPHG
— SABC News (@SABCNews) October 30, 2026
The DPCI has been led in an acting capacity by a senior police officer for the past two years, while the position of national head remained unfilled.
Cachalia described the acting head, General Mkweshwa, as a competent and respected senior officer, but said he was in the process of retiring.
The proposed appointment of Mkhwanazi comes as the government faces growing pressure to tackle organised criminal networks and improve the effectiveness of law enforcement.
Mkhwanazi currently serves as KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner. His appointment will depend on the required Cabinet and parliamentary processes.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
