Cachalia explains Mkhwanazi's proposed Hawks appointment - IOL

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has explained why he wants KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to take over as national head of the Hawks, citing the need for stronger leadership against organised crime.

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia says he was not prepared to wait until January next year to move ahead with the appointment of KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as national head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), arguing that the Hawks need permanent leadership to strengthen the fight against organised crime.

Cachalia announced his decision to recommend Mkhwanazi for the position on Thursday, with the proposed appointment still subject to Cabinet concurrence.

Speaking in Durban on Friday during a briefing on police preparations for the November 4 local government elections, Cachalia said he had decided to proceed rather than wait for the next Cabinet meeting, which was expected towards the end of January.

“I'm not prepared to wait for this important decision, so I have announced that I have made a decision and that that decision will now be subjected to a Cabinet process,” he said.

Cachalia clarified that he was the appointing authority under the law, but that the appointment required Cabinet concurrence. The appointment must also be reported to Parliament.

He said the decision was part of his commitment, alongside National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, to strengthen the DPCI and improve its ability to tackle organised crime.

“I can't sit on my laurels and talk about fighting organised crime without taking action to ensure that we are able to take the fight to the cartel bosses,” he said.

Cachalia said the Hawks leadership position had been advertised twice over the past two years, but the recruitment processes had failed to produce a suitable candidate.

The DPCI has been without a permanent national head since the retirement of Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya in May 2025. Lieutenant-General Siphesihle Nkosi has been leading the unit in an acting capacity.

Cachalia acknowledged Nkosi's contribution, describing him as a competent and respected senior officer, but said he was also in the process of retiring.

“For two years, the DPCI has been led by a very competent and respected senior officer, General Nkosi, but he's been there in an acting capacity and he is in the process of retiring,” he said.

The DPCI is responsible for investigating priority crimes, including organised criminal activity, drug trafficking and serious corruption. Cachalia said its leadership needed to be capable of confronting criminal networks and the people directing them.

He said he wanted someone who could provide strategic direction and lead the fight against powerful criminal groups.

“I certainly have come to the conclusion that what we needed in the leadership of the DPCI was a person, someone who is dynamic, who is strategic, who is appreciated by the public and who has the capabilities to take the fight to the cartels,” he said.

Mkhwanazi already has responsibilities beyond his position as KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner.

IOL previously reported that he had taken on a national role overseeing a central command structure bringing together Crime Intelligence, detectives and tactical units across the provinces to coordinate operations against sophisticated criminal syndicates.

He has also served as a commander in the South African Police Service's Special Task Force and as acting national police commissioner between 2011 and 2013. He has been KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner since 2018.

Mkhwanazi came into the national spotlight in July 2025 when he publicly raised allegations of criminal infiltration and political interference in the police, including claims involving then police minister Senzo Mchunu.

Those allegations led to Mchunu being placed on special leave and the establishment of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry to investigate alleged criminality, political interference and corruption in the criminal justice system.

Cachalia's proposed appointment would move Mkhwanazi from his provincial position to head the Hawks nationally, if Cabinet gives its concurrence.