Durban – KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa “Thami” Ntuli has endorsed Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi for a second term, just months before his current five-year tenure expires at the end of March 2026.
Ntuli confirmed the endorsement following high-level engagements with SAPS National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, saying he remains confident in Mkhwanazi’s leadership, professionalism and ethical conduct, IOL reported.
The Premier stressed that stable and effective policing leadership is critical to KwaZulu-Natal’s safety, stability and socio-economic development, given the province’s persistent and complex crime challenges.
Under Mkhwanazi’s leadership, SAPS in KwaZulu-Natal has strengthened operational coordination and rolled out intelligence-driven interventions targeting serious and violent crime, including political killings, organised crime and extortion.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has endorsed Provincial Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi for a second term. The decision follows a meeting with National Commissioner Fannie Masemola. Ntuli expressed confidence in the leadership and ethical standards demonstrated by… pic.twitter.com/fK1UCixiju
— eNCA (@eNCA) January 8, 2026
“The Commissioner’s role has been pivotal in addressing KwaZulu-Natal’s high crime rates, including political killings and extortion. I have consistently maintained that there is no basis not to recommend a police officer of the calibre of Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to continue with the work he is doing,” Ntuli said, according to The South African.
Ntuli said these measures have helped restore public confidence in law enforcement and reinforce the rule of law, particularly in communities hardest hit by crime.
However, Mkhwanazi’s tenure has also been marked by controversy.
He has gained a reputation for a hardline approach to organised crime but sparked a national debate in July last year after making public allegations of systemic corruption, political interference and criminal capture within SAPS and the broader justice system.
Premier Thami Ntuli has endorsed a second term in office for the KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mkhwanazi’s term is set to come to an end on 26 March. Ntuli says leadership as decisive as that of Mkhwanazi’s is crucial. Ntuli expands.
Watch: https://t.co/UgfQeLhz3P… pic.twitter.com/j3rcaXrsc4
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) January 8, 2026
Those claims led to the establishment of two oversight processes — the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and a parliamentary ad hoc committee — tasked with investigating allegations that senior law enforcement officials, politicians and business interests may have interfered in investigations, prosecutions and intelligence operations.
While neither body has released final findings, preliminary work by the ad hoc committee has highlighted serious governance failures within the security cluster.
Ntuli’s endorsement, made in line with Section 207 of the Constitution which requires the National Commissioner to appoint provincial commissioners with the concurrence of the Premier, comes as Mkhwanazi prepares to return to Parliament to face further questioning by the ad hoc committee, while the Madlanga Commission is expected to begin formal hearings later this month.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
