Tensions could lead to civil unrest

IN THE aftermath to the serious allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi against Police Minister Senzo and others, it has been suggested that tensions were bubbling under in the province, which sparked fears of retaliation and unrest.

- MASHUDU SADIKE

Warnings have been issued that escalating tensions could lead to violence akin to the July 2021 riots. Those events resulted in over 350 fatalities and an estimated R50 billion in damages to the local economy.

Mkhwanazi's press conference on Sunday has since ignited social media campaigns and reposts under the hashtags #HandsOffMkhwanazi; #WeStandWithMkhwanazi and JulyRiots2.0 have raised concerns that digital agitation may lead to social unrest.

Given the nature and gravity of the allegations, the popular view was that President Cyril Ramaphosa would not take immediate action against Mchunu, but was expected to engage with those directly implicated.

Mkhwanazi claimed that Mchunu ordered the unilateral disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team in KZN and transferred 121 politically sensitive dockets to the Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Shadrack Sibiya's office, where they have allegedly been "neutralised".

Mkhwanazi also accused Mchunu of political interference and obstructing critical investigations by dismantling the task team.

Both men have denied the allegations.

High-level government sources said Ramaphosa was still meeting with everyone involved in the Mchunu saga, and it was unlikely that he would take immediate action against the police minister.