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Why Malema Wants Mkhwanazi Promoted — And Why It’s Bigger Than Politics



In a fiery and emotionally charged address, EFF leader Julius Malema didn't just speak — he sparked a national conversation. South Africa has watched police corruption scandals rise and fall, often with silence from political heavyweights. But this time, Malema made it personal.

"We can't afford to lose Mkhwanazi," he declared during a press conference held on Friday, 25 July. In that moment, Malema wasn’t just defending an officer — he was throwing a punch at the deep rot inside law enforcement.

Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the KZN Police Commissioner, has been a thorn in the side of corrupt systems. His recent allegations pointed directly at Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Deputy Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, accusing them of derailing vital investigations. Mkhwanazi claims 121 active dockets, mostly political killings, were pulled from the hands of his dedicated team and redirected — then buried. The accused ministers have since been placed on leave by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Malema didn't hold back. "This is a fight for the soul of the police," he said. And for many South Africans tired of crime, stalled justice, and state capture, his words hit home.

The EFF leader called for Mkhwanazi's promotion to national level, even suggesting deployment to the Western Cape where gang syndicates and drug empires operate with deadly precision. In Malema’s words: "KZN has become too small for him."

This wasn’t political flattery. It was a clear warning to the powers that be. According to Malema, sidelining Mkhwanazi isn’t just an administrative decision — it’s sabotage.

And in a country where whistleblowers often face retaliation or worse, Malema’s call for vigilance is not unwarranted. He urged the nation to watch Mkhwanazi’s fate closely: "Whether you agree with him or not, he went beyond protocol for the sake of truth. He deserves protection."

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Malema’s political chessboard moves didn’t stop there. He proposed and welcomed the National Assembly’s decision to form an ad hoc parliamentary committee to investigate the allegations — a motion originally put forward by the EFF. He also wants to chair this committee. Not as a figurehead, but to personally "sort out this issue."

Still, he warned the 90-day timeframe for the committee was laughably short, given the magnitude of the claims. "It must be a full-time job. Members must even be prepared to work weekends."

His dig at acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia didn’t go unnoticed. Calling him disconnected, Malema questioned his relevance in the current crisis. "He doesn't know what we are dealing with on the ground."

He slammed commissions of inquiry as delay tactics, citing the Zondo Commission as a money-guzzling example that ended with faded headlines and fading justice. "By the end of it, we forgot what the Guptas even looked like."

Malema also made one thing clear: Mchunu must go. Immediately. "Law enforcement must function without political interference. Police must arrest and investigate anyone, no matter who they are."

This push goes beyond politics. It’s about setting a precedent. It’s about saying that bravery in the force shouldn’t be punished — it should be promoted.

As public outrage grows over corruption, crime and manipulation of justice, Malema’s call finds fertile ground. Whether you agree with him or not, one thing is certain: he’s touched a nerve.

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Post your thoughts below — do you think Mkhwanazi deserves a national role, or is this political theatre?

~BILLY JAYDEN LOUIS

Pinned Poll: Should Mkhwanazi be promoted to a national role?

  • Yes, he’s a national asset

  • No, this is political meddling

  • Not sure yet, waiting for inquiry results

Tags: South Africa Politics, Julius Malema, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, Police Reform, Gang Violence, Western Cape Crime, Corruption Watch, EFF News, Senzo Mchunu Scandal, Parliament Committee


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