Mkhwanazi Nominated as New Hawks Head, Cabinet Approval Still Required
- Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia sent Cabinet a memorandum requesting the appointment of Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as national Hawks head
- The Hawks have been without a permanent leader since Lt Gen Godfrey Lebeya retired in May 2025, with Lt Gen Siphesihle Nkosi serving in an acting capacity
- Cabinet must still concur with the nomination before the appointment is confirmed, with no date set for when it will be considered
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GAUTENG — Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has formally asked Cabinet to approve Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as the next national head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks.
According to eNCA, the Police Ministry confirmed in a statement on Thursday, 29 October 2026, that Cachalia had submitted a Cabinet memorandum seeking concurrence for the appointment, which it said would be presented "at the earliest opportunity during a Cabinet sitting."
Why the appointment matters
The ministry said the process was initiated under powers granted to the minister by the South African Police Service Act 68 of 1995. It described the Hawks as critical to South Africa's efforts against organised crime, corruption, and other serious offences, calling the appointment a priority under the Police Reset Agenda.
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Under Section 17CA of the SAPS Act, Cabinet must agree to the appointment. The minister is then required to inform Parliament within 14 days, provided Parliament is in session. The position carries a fixed, non-renewable term of between seven and ten years, and the appointee must be a South African citizen deemed fit and proper, with due regard to experience, integrity, and conscientiousness.
Who is Mkhwanazi?
Mkhwanazi currently serves as the KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner and is a former Special Task Force commander who previously served as acting National Police Commissioner. Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni noted on 11 October 2026 that he was acting in a role overseeing organised crime at a national level.
He rose to national prominence in July 2025 after alleging at a Durban media briefing that a criminal syndicate had infiltrated law enforcement and that the KZN Political Killings Task Team had been ordered disbanded by then Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. President Cyril Ramaphosa subsequently placed Mchunu on special leave and established the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. Mchunu has denied any wrongdoing. Parliament's ad hoc committee probing those allegations has produced a draft report of nearly 800 pages, with a final version due by 30 October.
Hawks leadership gap
The DPCI post has been vacant since Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya retired in May 2025. Lieutenant General Siphesihle Nkosi has been serving as acting head in the interim, with the position reportedly re-advertised in July 2026.
Cabinet has not indicated when it will consider Cachalia's memorandum. Should the appointment proceed, it remains unclear who would succeed Mkhwanazi as KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner.
What did South Africans say?
South Africans reacted to the news on social media.
@Nyambose_N said:
"They should, he is already heading organised crime nationally. DPCI needs to be reformed and General Mkhwanazi is one of the most qualified law enforcement. Give him that position."
@ForensicDockets said:
"Head of DPCI is more operational than NatCom so he would be directly involved in fighting corruption and organised crime."
@MalcolmManqoba asked:
"Mara which role is powerful? Is it the 1 he is currently holding or that of Hawks. I don't know if this is a promotion or they trying to surpress him."
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@julste111 replied:
"I don't trust this move. Can General Mkhwanazi come tell us that he is ok with this decision."
Cachalia's police salute moment goes viral
In a related article, Briefly News reported on Cachalia’s viral moment at the launch of the Western Cape Safer Festive Season operations in Nyanga.
A video showed Cachalia appearing unsure how to respond when uniformed officers saluted him, prompting a wave of jokes and criticism online.
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Source: Briefly News
