Top South African police official testifies that criminal syndicates have infiltrated justice system

A senior South African police official told a government-backed commission of inquiry on Wednesday that criminal syndicates and drug cartels have infiltrated the country's police and justice system, alleging interference by politicians and top security officials in sensitive investigations.

KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said in an opening statement that the criminal justice system has been under a "continuous threat" and faces the risk of "total collapse" if interventions are not made. Mkhwanazi first aired the allegations at a July 6 news conference, prompting President Cyril Ramaphosa to appoint the commission; South Africa's parliament is conducting a separate inquiry into the claims.

Mkhwanazi specifically named Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya as among those he alleged were involved with or protecting crime syndicates. He told the commission that both had been implicated in the disbanding of a specialised crime unit in KwaZulu-Natal that had been investigating politically motivated killings and had linked crime cartels to the murders of two musicians. Mchunu and Sibiya have since been suspended and are expected to give evidence at the commission.

"It has been my aim that I want to demonstrate that the criminal justice system has been subject to a continuous threat, as well as sabotage, which has been with us over an extended period," Mkhwanazi said in his testimony. "To a point where we believe it is at real risk of total collapse if nothing is done."

The allegations have provoked a heated national debate over corruption in law enforcement and the ability of executive-led inquiries to produce meaningful consequences. South Africa has one of the world's highest crime rates, and allegations of corruption within the police are longstanding, though it is rare for serving senior police officials to publicly accuse their peers and political leaders of collusion with criminal networks.

Responses to the commission's creation have been mixed. Julius Malema, leader of the opposition Economic Freedom Fighters, questioned whether the commission has the authority to deliver substantive outcomes and urged that Mkhwanazi also be called to testify before a parliamentary committee, which he said carries greater weight. The opposition MK Party said it would challenge the legality of the commission in court on Thursday, accusing the president of failing to act on recommendations from previous inquiries.

Louise Edwards, a crime expert with the African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum, said the probe could spur change if its recommendations are implemented and followed by sustained oversight. "We have to remain optimistic, but the only way I see real change happening is if the findings and recommendations of the commission lead to real consequences, systemic reforms, and sustained oversight, particularly by permanent oversight structures," Edwards said. She added that the issues raised by Mkhwanazi were hurting effective policing and eroding morale among officers expected to fight crime.

The commission’s proceedings are expected to include testimony from several current and former officials and to run in parallel with parliamentary hearings. Observers and civil society groups have urged that any recommendations be backed by concrete legal and administrative steps to prevent recurrent findings from being left unimplemented, as has happened after some previous commissions.

The inquiry represents a high-stakes test of South Africa's ability to address entrenched criminal networks and allegations of institutional capture at senior levels of government. The commission's outcome could shape public confidence in law enforcement at a time when authorities have struggled to curb violent crime and organised criminal activity across the country.