Integrity of judiciary under scrutiny

KWAZULU-NATAL'S police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has ignited a firestorm of controversy this week as he made several high-profile requests to Parliament.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

During a two-day testimony at a parliamentary inquiry, Mkhwanazi urged for investigations into critical matters concerning the integrity of the Crime Intelligence unit and alleged misconduct within the judiciary.

In a dramatic series of allegations made during the inquiry, Mkhwanazi accused various state bodies, including the Independent Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), among others.

He specifically charged that the judiciary appears to be complicit in major criminal activities, expressing frustration over a magistrate's ruling that barred Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo from entering intelligence offices, saying it did not make sense.

"I believe in this case that bail condition that was imposed was not coincidental," he said.

His remarks drew sharp criticism from Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema, who argued that Mkhwanazi's use of a magistrate's ruling as evidence against the judiciary was overreaching.

In response, Mkhwanazi hinted at further alarming details he could share in a private session.

"You will hear things that might shock you," he said.

Dan Mafora, a senior researcher at the Council for Advancement of the South African Constitution, said Mkhwanazi has to be specific on the corrupt activities by members of the judiciary.

"But it's unhelpful for him to speak in broad terms in a way that does not help identify who these people are and where they are so that the allegations can be addressed," Mafora said.