Hawks Officer Alleges He Was Pressured to Implicate General Mkhwanazi at Madlanga Commission

• Lieutenant Colonel Deena Govender appeared before the Madlanga Commission in Pretoria on 21 August 2026 to respond to hit squad allegations
• Govender claimed he was approached by someone described as close to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and urged to implicate a senior police official
• The Hawks officer alleged he was threatened with arrest over 172 cases and warned he could be denied bail or even poisoned if he refused to cooperate

PRETORIA — A Hawks officer has told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that he was allegedly pressured into providing evidence against KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, describing himself as a target in what he believes is a coordinated campaign against him.

Lieutenant Colonel Deenadayalan "Deena" Govender, attached to the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Unit, took the stand in Pretoria on Friday, 21 August 2026. His appearance comes amid allegations that he headed an alleged hit squad involving members of a Cash-in-Transit task team.

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Govender alleges political pressure and personal threats

In his testimony, Govender stated that Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) Deputy Director Len John had unfairly targeted him and was using him as a pawn. He further claimed that a man named Mavuso Ntandani, whom he identified as having close ties to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, had approached him directly.

According to Govender, Ntandani encouraged him to protect himself by testifying that he had carried out police shootings on Mkhwanazi's orders. He alleged that those behind the pressure campaign wanted him to implicate the KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner and threatened him with arrest across 172 separate cases if he refused.

Govender went further, alleging that he was warned he could be denied bail and that his life could be at risk through poisoning should he choose not to cooperate with those pressuring him.

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Commission examines senior police conduct

The allegations form part of the commission's broader examination of claims linking senior South African Police Service officials to organised crime and alleged political interference. Govender's testimony is expected to continue shedding light on the circumstances surrounding his alleged involvement in the hit squad claims, as well as the nature of the pressure he says was applied to him.

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The commission has been hearing evidence related to conduct within the police service, with several senior figures drawn into its proceedings since its establishment.

Mkhwanazi meets with the Hawks

Previously, Briefly News reported that General Mkhwanazi held a closed meeting with members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks) on 16 February 2026, to debrief officers following the revelations at both the Madlanga Commission and the Parliamentary Ad-Hoc Committee. The meeting, held at the South African Police Service (SAPS) Durban Central's Officers Club, was focused on the uncertainty surrounding the KZN Hawks head, Major General Lesetja Senona. General Senona was recently asked to vacate the office as investigations into his conduct get underway.

Source: Briefly News