Acting Cops Minister Names Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi To Crush Syndicates In Major Hawks Shake-Up

Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia has formally initiated the statutory process to appoint KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as the new National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks.

Explaining the rationale behind the high-profile decision, Cachalia emphasized that South Africa requires an uncompromising, battle-tested operational leader capable of dismantling sophisticated criminal cartels, syndicates, and corruption networks. Speaking during a media briefing in Durban, Cachalia stressed that revitalizing executive command at the DPCI serves as a cornerstone of the government’s broader “Police Reset Agenda,” which prioritizes high-impact investigative strategies and total operational effectiveness against priority crimes.

Rather than delaying leadership appointments until future administrative cycles, Cachalia confirmed that he submitted a formal Cabinet Memorandum seeking immediate concurrence. Under Section 17CA(1)–(3) of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Act 68 of 1995, the Minister of Police holds statutory appointing authority but must secure executive concurrence from Cabinet before the appointment takes legal effect, after which the determination must be formally reported to Parliament.

“I can’t sit on my laurels and talk about fighting organised crime without taking action to ensure that we are able to take the fight to the cartel bosses,” Cachalia stated, reaffirming his commitment alongside National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola to strengthen law enforcement capability across all provinces.

The position became vacant following the retirement of Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya in May 2025, with Lieutenant-General Siphesihle Nkosi subsequently managing the unit in an acting capacity. While Mkhwanazi’s direct, hands-on command style in KwaZulu-Natal has earned widespread public acclaim, the proposed transition to the Hawks’ national directorship remains subject to Cabinet review and parliamentary notification procedures as executive authorities finalize national security structures ahead of the 4 November local government elections.

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