Breaking: Ramaphosa Has Breaks Silence About Mkhwanazi’s Proposed Appointment As Hawks Head

President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that the proposed appointment of KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as the national head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks, will be considered by Cabinet before an official decision is announced.

Ramaphosa said the matter would be subjected to Cabinet consideration, adding that an announcement would follow once a decision had been made.

The proposed appointment has attracted considerable attention within South Africa’s political and law-enforcement circles, given Mkhwanazi’s prominent position in the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the important responsibilities attached to leading the country’s specialised crime-fighting unit.

The Hawks are responsible for investigating serious organised crime, corruption, serious commercial crime and other priority offences. The unit also plays a significant role in investigating cases involving public-sector corruption and criminal networks operating across different parts of the country.

Mkhwanazi’s possible appointment would represent a major transition in his policing career, moving him from provincial leadership in KwaZulu-Natal to the national leadership of one of South Africa’s most important law-enforcement institutions.

The recommendation for his appointment was submitted by Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, who initiated the process by submitting a Cabinet memorandum seeking approval for Mkhwanazi to take over the position.

According to the Police Ministry, the proposed appointment is being considered in accordance with Section 17CA(1)–(3) of the South African Police Service Act 68 of 1995. The legislation provides that the national head of the DPCI is appointed by the Minister of Police with Cabinet’s concurrence. The appointment must also be reported to Parliament.

Cachalia’s recommendation followed concerns about the prolonged vacancy in the Hawks’ national leadership. The position became vacant following the retirement of Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya in May 2025.

Since then, Lieutenant General Siphesihle Nkosi has been serving as acting national head of the unit.

The Police Ministry has maintained that appointing a permanent national head is important to strengthening the Hawks’ leadership, providing strategic direction and improving operational effectiveness in the fight against organised crime and corruption.

The proposed appointment also forms part of the government’s broader Police Reset Agenda, which seeks to strengthen law enforcement institutions and improve their ability to respond to serious criminal activities.

Mkhwanazi has served as KwaZulu-Natal’s provincial police commissioner since 2018. He previously served as acting national police commissioner between 2011 and 2013 and has built a lengthy career within the country’s police service.

He became a prominent national figure in July 2025 after making serious allegations about criminal infiltration and political interference within South Africa’s criminal justice system during a public briefing.

His allegations implicated several political and law-enforcement figures and prompted President Ramaphosa to establish the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry to investigate claims of criminality, corruption and political interference within the criminal justice system.

Parliament also established an ad hoc committee to investigate the allegations, bringing further attention to the challenges facing South Africa’s policing and criminal justice institutions.

Mkhwanazi’s proposed move to the Hawks would place him at the centre of the national effort to investigate organised criminal networks, serious corruption and other priority offences.

However, his appointment is not yet final, as Cabinet’s concurrence remains a necessary legal requirement. Questions have also emerged about who would succeed him as KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner should the proposed move receive approval.

For now, the decision rests with Cabinet, while Lieutenant General Siphesihle Nkosi continues serving as acting national head of the Hawks.

Ramaphosa’s confirmation indicates that the appointment process remains subject to the required government procedures. The President has said an official announcement will be made once Cabinet has considered the matter and reached a decision.

The outcome will determine whether Mkhwanazi leaves his provincial position to assume national responsibility for leading the Hawks and overseeing the investigation of some of South Africa’s most serious criminal cases.

Source: https://x.com/Newzroom405/status/2117207939304034474