General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi To Remain KZN Top Cop: Fannie Masemola

• The National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola, has provided insight into the future of KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi
• He spoke to eNCA following KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli's endorsement of Mkhwanazi retaining his position as the province's top cop
• South Africans celebrated the possibility that Mkhwanazi will remain as the provincial commissioner of the police

Tebogo Mokwena, Briefly News’ Deputy Head of the Current Affairs desk, South Africa, covered a range of criminal activities, including cash-in-transit heists, kidnappings, taxi violence, shootings, police investigations, police shootouts, and court cases at Daily Sun for over three years.

GAUTENG— The National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, provided assurance of KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as the province's top cop.

According to Dasen Thathiah, Masemola told eNCA on 17 March 2026 that Mkhwanazi would still be the province's top top. This was in response to the question of whether Mkhwanazi's contract as the Provincial Commissioner would be renewed. His statements came after KZN Premier Thami Ntuli previously endorsed Mkhwanazi to remain as the top cop.

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A look at Mkhwanazi's impact

Mkhwanazi's position was hanging in the balance as his term is expected to end this year. Mkhwanazi shook the criminal justice system when he held a press briefing on 6 July 2025. He alleged that a vast network of criminal syndicates had infiltrated the criminal justice system. He implicated politicians, including former police minister Senzo Mchunu and suspended Deputy National Commissioner General Shadrack Sibiya.

The impact of the press briefing was far-reaching. President Cyril Ramaphosa suspended Mchunu on 13 July and established the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. Subsequent to this, top police officials, including Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi, were implicated and called to testify before the commission. Mkhwanazi also testified before the Commission and the Ad Hoc Committee established to probe the allegations he made.

South Africans celebrate

Netizens in the comment section were in a good mood after reading the announcement.

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Gwinyitshe said:

"Mkhwanazi staying is a win. Murder stats are improving, yes, but violent crime remains brutal in KZN. Far too much work to do. No room for complacency."

Get Rich or Die Trying was pleased.

"The people's general is staying. We are popping bottles, and the criminals are in a miserable state."

George said:

"Not renewing Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's contract will be taken as punishing him for all the work he has done to bring down cartels."

Abuti Base joked:

"How do we start the conversation with General Masemola that we actually need General Mkhwanazi to replace him, as in yesterday?"

JambaseMsuthu said:

"I wish all the other provincial commissioners' contracts were not renewed. Crimnals in their provinces are doing as they like and they are nowhere to be found."

Fannie Masemola weighs in on 6 July press briefing

In a related article, Briefly News reported that Masemola admitted that he was stunned at the contents of Mkhwanazi's press briefing. This was despite giving him the green light to hold the press briefing.

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Masemola spoke in Parliament when he returned to the Ad Hoc Committee to testify. He said that Mkhwanazi's presentation extended beyond what had been authorised.

Source: Briefly News