‘Implicated officials should respond to authorities, not seek media sympathy’, says expert

Political commentator, Goodenough Mashego, has warned that senior officials implicated by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi risk damaging their credibility by engaging with the media, while investigations are ongoing.

He cautions that their public statements could further weaken their legal standing.

“I think there is a misunderstanding on the part of those whose names are being raised in the chief testimony or in the chief evidence of General Nhlanhla Nkhwanazi. Because they need to understand the forum at which their names are being raised and in their contestation of the allegations, they need to go to the same forums because it is disingenuous that your name gets raised in an ad-hoc committee but you go and run to a newspaper and try to cleanse your name,” Mashego said.

Mashego’s warning comes after suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General, Shadrack Sibiya and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s Chief of Staff, Cedric Nkabinde, spoke to the media today, addressing allegations against them.

Sibiya was suspended after Mkhwanazi revealed in an explosive media briefing in July, that the high-ranking police official had conspired with then-Minister Mchunu to disband the task team investigating political killings in KwaZulu-Natal — a unit seen as critical to resolving a series of politically motivated murders in the province.

Nkabinde, meanwhile, has been named in testimony both at the Madlanga Commission and in Parliament’s ad hoc committee probing interference in police operations.

Mkhwanazi told Parliament’s Ad-hoc Committee this week, that Nkabinde had informed him about a close relationship between Minister Mchunu and controversial businessman Brown Mogotsi.

The KZN police chief also revealed that Nkabinde once arranged a meeting between him and the minister, a move Mkhwanazi interpreted as an attempt to demonstrate Nkabinde’s proximity to power.

Mashego argues that public statements by individuals under scrutiny could be viewed as attempts to influence public opinion or undermine formal inquiries.

Speaking outside his Centurion home following a police operation, Sibiya described the surveillance of his residence as a blatant abuse of power.

Details around the operation remain unclear, including which law enforcement agency led it. However, speculation is mounting that Sibiya may soon face arrest.

During the raid, SAPS investigators reportedly seized several electronic devices, including cellphones and laptops.

Sibiya claims the operation is part of a broader campaign to pressure him into resigning — something he says he will not do.

Meanwhile, in Sandton, Nkabinde told journalists he has nothing to hide and is ready to share his side of the story.

He alleged that police stormed his flat last night, mistakenly assaulting his brother while looking for him.

Nkabinde further claimed that devices containing evidence meant for submission to the Madlanga Commission and the Ad-hoc committee were seized in what he described as an attempt to sabotage their case.

He also warned that should anything happen to him, National Commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola will be responsible.

Meanwhile, National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola, who is appearing before Parliament, confirmed that he is aware of the search and seizure raids that took place at their homes.

National commissioner Fannie Masemola confirms before the #AdHocCommittee that police teams have been searching for devices belonging to Shadrack Sibiya, Senzo Mchunu and Cedric Nkabinde as part of an ongoing investigation.

No one is being arrested yet, according to him.… pic.twitter.com/OA97tFKnLr

— Dasen Thathiah (@DasenThathiah) October 9, 2025