Lieutenant Mkhwanazi cleared—those three words sent shockwaves through South Africa’s law enforcement and political circles as the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) officially dropped its high-profile investigation into the KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner. The announcement, made on 10 April 2025, ends a month-long saga filled with intrigue, political accusations, and public pressure.
The decision means Lieutenant Mkhwanazi cleared his name of all interference allegations tied to the 2023 arrest operation involving a senior Department of Correctional Services official in Richards Bay. IPID found insufficient evidence to proceed, prompting immediate reactions across the political spectrum and raising fresh questions about the motives behind the inquiry.
Lieutenant Mkhwanazi Cleared After Turbulent IPID Probe
The case began in early March 2025 when IPID launched a probe alleging that Lieutenant Mkhwanazi had interfered with the arrest of a senior Westville Prison official suspected of running a drug cartel.
The commissioner’s camp was blindsided, especially when IPID claimed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu was the complainant—only to later backtrack and blame an anonymous tip-off.
The investigation, shrouded in mystery and contradictions, quickly drew criticism. Social media erupted under hashtags like #GoodWorkNdonga, with citizens rallying behind Mkhwanazi. Amid public uproar and confusion, IPID finally confirmed that the Lieutenant Mkhwanazi cleared outcome stemmed from a lack of evidence.
A Defiant Mkhwanazi Cleared but Not Silent
While being probed, Mkhwanazi remained outspoken, insisting the investigation was politically motivated. He openly linked it to his decision to clear Crime Intelligence boss Major-General Feroz Khan of wrongdoing tied to a massive 2021 cocaine bust in Johannesburg.
“I feel this is revenge by IPID because I didn’t fire Khan,” he said in a recent interview. Mkhwanazi cleared Khan of all misconduct after chairing a disciplinary hearing, contradicting IPID’s position that Khan had obstructed justice. That decision, he claimed, sparked a vendetta within the police watchdog unit.
EFF Claims Victory: ‘Mkhwanazi Cleared and Vindicated’
Reacting swiftly, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) declared Mkhwanazi cleared as a triumph of justice over political interference. “These baseless allegations were part of a campaign to bring down a courageous officer,” said EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo.
The EFF, which had led a Durban march supporting the commissioner, accused shadowy figures in law enforcement of orchestrating a smear campaign. The party demanded the Police Minister back off, declaring the Mkhwanazi cleared result as a “victory for those fighting crime honestly.”
Support Pours In After Mkhwanazi Cleared
The Mkhwanazi cleared news drew praise from the South African Policing Union (SAPU), which had long argued the probe was politically charged. SAPU spokesperson Lesiba Thobakgale said the withdrawal confirmed their fears that Mkhwanazi was being targeted for his hardline stance on corruption.
Other political parties, including the ANC’s KZN branch and the IFP, also spoke out. “There’s a coordinated effort to stop him from rising further,” said IFP’s Blessed Gwala, pointing to fears that suspensions or investigations could limit Mkhwanazi’s future prospects.
Even ordinary citizens joined the celebration. Durban residents marched in late March, demanding transparency and backing the commissioner’s crime-fighting initiatives. As Mkhwanazi cleared headlines trended, many hailed him as a “people’s general.”
Crime Crackdown Continues Now That Mkhwanazi Cleared
With this outcome, the commissioner’s focus returns to his battle against violent crime in KwaZulu-Natal. Under his leadership, major reductions in murders and robberies have been recorded. His approach is firm—over 100 suspects died in shootouts with police in 2024 alone.
Critics accuse him of being too aggressive, but supporters say he’s saving lives and restoring order. His task team on political killings has exposed high-level rot, uncovering links between local crimes and cases that were buried in Gauteng.
Mkhwanazi’s comments that “someone whispered to the minister” to shut down these investigations only intensified demands for greater oversight. A leaked letter from Police Minister Mchunu ordering the task team’s disbandment while the national commissioner was on leave has further deepened mistrust.
Calls Grow for Reform as Mkhwanazi Cleared
In light of the announcement, the Public Servants Association (PSA) has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to appoint an independent retired judge to investigate IPID’s internal conduct. The PSA says the watchdog’s credibility has taken a serious hit and questions whether political forces are using it to settle scores.
“Law enforcement oversight must be transparent and immune from manipulation,” a PSA representative said. The union highlighted IPID’s inconsistencies as cause for concern, echoing calls for legislative reform.
