South Africa: Acting Minister Pushes Mkhwanazi for Hawks Top Job

What the report says

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has asked South Africa’s Cabinet to approve Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as the next national head of the Hawks, according to Scrolla via AllAfrica. The request was made on Thursday, and the ministry said it had submitted a memorandum seeking Cabinet concurrence. No decision has been announced yet, and the statement did not name a successor for Mkhwanazi’s current post.

The Hawks, formally known as the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, handle serious priority crimes including organised crime and corruption. Under the Police Act, the minister appoints the unit’s head with Cabinet approval, and the appointment must then be reported to Parliament. Cachalia said the role is important for leadership, strategy and operational effectiveness as part of the police “reset” agenda.

Mkhwanazi is currently the KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner and has held that job since 2018. His contract was renewed earlier this year for five more years, and he previously served as acting national police commissioner from 2011 to 2012. The report also notes that his July 2025 allegations of political interference in policing led to the establishment of the Madlanga Commission. The potential move comes days before South Africa’s 4 November local government elections, while police have not said who would replace him in KwaZulu-Natal.