Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi warns of total justice system collapse amid political interference and corruption
Bulelwa Hoala

KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, delivered explosive testimony during day one at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry in Pretoria on Wednesday, 17 September 2025.
While Mkhwanazi delved into serious issues including political interference in investigations, evidence of corruption and political killings linked to tenders, his warning that South Africa’s justice system is at risk of total collapse was the most chilling.
Mkhwanazi told the commission that the South African justice system is facing a “total collapse” due to criminal infiltration within the SAPS and the broader justice system.
He warned that unless these issues are addressed, the entire structure could fall apart.
This comes after Mkhwanazi held a media briefing on 6 July 2025, in which he levelled serious allegations against the now suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, accusing him of having ties to criminal syndicates which have infiltrated law enforcement.
Mkhwanazi revealed that a probe by the Gauteng organised crime investigation unit uncovered a criminal network that includes politicians, police officers, metro police, correctional officials, prosecutors, and judges, all allegedly influenced by drug cartels and certain businesspeople.
Phemelo Motene spoke to independent crime expert Chris de Kock on Point of View to dig into the deeper implications.
Listen to the full conversation on the podcast below:
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