The proposed appointment of KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to head the Hawks has sparked a debate over whether he should lead the elite crime-fighting unit or be considered for the country’s top policing job. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia’s office announced that he had submitted a Cabinet Memorandum seeking President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Cabinet’s concurrence for Mkhwanazi’s appointment as head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks.
The Hawks play a critical role in combating organised crime, corruption and other serious priority offences, according to Ministry spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi. Appointing a national head is important to ensure strong leadership, strategic direction and operational effectiveness. Mkhwanazi's substantial operational and senior command experience, including his service as acting national commissioner, is an important strength, said Parliament’s police oversight committee chairperson Ian Cameron.
However, Cameron also highlighted the directorate’s severe staffing crisis, with 2 515 vacant policing posts, including approximately 1 500 investigator posts. No appointment at the top can, on its own, overcome a shortage of that scale, Cameron said. Mkhwanazi would need a costed recruitment and retention plan, with deadlines for filling critical posts, while the minister and SAPS leadership would have to provide the necessary funding and administrative support.
The new head would also need to address stalled investigations, strengthen cooperation with the National Prosecuting Authority and ensure prosecutors were involved early in complex cases. Financial investigations should target those directing and benefiting from organised crime, with criminal proceeds traced for possible recovery. The Hawks must follow evidence regardless of political connections or seniority within government and the police, with their own members held to the same standards of integrity and accountability.
Scopa chairperson Songezo Zibi welcomed Mkhwanazi’s possible appointment but warned that without additional funding, the move could be undermined from the outset. Gen Mkhwanazi will be the best appointment of the DPCI to date, but he will need resources urgently. The Hawks have a 50% vacancy rate, poorly paid forensic financial investigators, a dire need for cyber capacity and a variety of other skills.
Criminal law expert Dr Lennit Max believes Mkhwanazi’s experience could make a greater contribution across the police service if he were appointed national commissioner when General Fannie Masemola’s term ends in March 2027. Mkhwanazi's operational background could provide a valuable foundation for leading the national police service, which extends beyond specialised investigations to visible policing at station level.
Security strategist Andy Mashaile and Willem Els from the Security Initiative of Africa have differing views on Mkhwanazi's proposed appointment. Mashaile argues that appointing Mkhwanazi to the Hawks would limit his influence, while Els supports the proposed appointment, saying Mkhwanazi could bring stability, direction and renewed public confidence to the unit.
Key points
- Mkhwanazi's suitability for the Hawks role is being debated.
- The Hawks face a severe staffing crisis with 2 515 vacant policing posts.
- Mkhwanazi may be better suited as national police commissioner.
