Acting police minister Firoz Cachalia has recommended Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to head the Hawks, a specialized crime-fighting unit in South Africa. Cachalia submitted a memorandum to the cabinet seeking approval for Mkhwanazi's appointment as national head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation. The Hawks investigate serious organized crime, corruption, and other priority offenses. The police ministry stated that the memorandum would be presented to the cabinet at the earliest opportunity.
The appointment of Mkhwanazi is not final and requires cabinet approval before proceeding. According to Section 17CA of the South African Police Service Act, the minister of police must appoint the national head of the DPCI with the cabinet's concurrence. The appointment must also be reported to parliament. Mkhwanazi would replace Lt-Gen Siphesihle Nkosi, who has been serving as acting national head since Gen Godfrey Lebeya's retirement in May 2025.
The Hawks have been without a permanent national head at a time when law enforcement agencies face pressure to tackle organized crime and corruption. The police ministry emphasized that appointing a permanent head is crucial for strong leadership, strategic direction, and operational effectiveness in investigating serious crimes. Strengthening the DPCI is part of the government's Police Reset Agenda.
Mkhwanazi's proposed appointment comes amid a national investigation into allegations of criminal infiltration and political interference in the police and other parts of the criminal justice system. In July 2025, Mkhwanazi alleged that a sophisticated criminal syndicate had infiltrated law enforcement and intelligence structures. He also claimed that political interference had undermined investigations into organized crime.
Mkhwanazi's allegations implicated senior political and law enforcement figures, including then police minister Senzo Mchunu. President Cyril Ramaphosa subsequently placed Mchunu on special leave and established the Madlanga commission of inquiry to investigate allegations of criminality, political interference, and corruption within the criminal justice system. Parliament also established an ad hoc committee to investigate Mkhwanazi's allegations.
The proposed appointment would place Mkhwanazi in charge of a national directorate with a mandate to investigate serious organized crime, corruption, and other priority offenses. The Hawks operate within the South African Police Service but have a specialized investigative mandate distinct from ordinary policing. Mkhwanazi has led the KwaZulu-Natal police since 2018 and previously served as acting national police commissioner in 2011-13.
The appointment raises questions about succession in KwaZulu-Natal, where Mkhwanazi has been responsible for provincial policing. The ministry's announcement did not identify a possible successor should the cabinet approve his appointment. Until concurrence is granted and the appointment is completed, Nkosi remains the acting national head of the Hawks.
Key points
- The appointment of Mkhwanazi as head of the Hawks requires cabinet approval.
- Mkhwanazi's proposed appointment comes amid a national investigation into allegations of criminal infiltration and political interference in the police.
- The Hawks have been without a permanent national head since Gen Godfrey Lebeya's retirement in May 2025.
