2025 in Review | Mkhwanazi’s July 6 bombshell rewrote South Africa’s political landscape

The 6th of July 2025 marked a turning point in South Africa’s political landscape when KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, appeared before the nation in full military regalia and laid bare what he described as deep-rooted rot within the criminal justice system.

Mkhwanazi ignited a political storm after placing several high-profile politicians and senior officials at the centre of the alleged corruption, including embattled Police Minister Senzo Mchunu (who is on special leave), suspended Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, former Police Minister Bheki Cele, and controversial businessman Brown Mogotsi.

The explosive allegations — which have shaken the nation — include claims that drug cartels operate with protection from within the state, as well as the unlawful disbandment of the KwaZulu-Natal Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) in December 2024.

According to Mkhwanazi, more than 120 case dockets linked to political killings were left unattended, gathering dust in Sibiya’s office.

Mkhwanazi’s revelations prompted President Cyril Ramaphosa to establish a commission of inquiry, chaired by retired Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, to probe the damning allegations.

Ramaphosa described the allegations as a matter of grave national security concern, stressing the need to safeguard the integrity of the country’s security services and to uphold the rule of law.

A parliamentary ad hoc committee, chaired by ANC MP Soviet Lekganyane, was also established and is running parallel to the Madlanga Commission.

Senzo Mchunu: Embattled Police Minister

Mchunu who has been placed on special leave, revealed that beyond 2022, the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) was no longer properly regulated. He noted that the task team was originally intended to operate for six months from July 2018 — not six years.

He admitted to signing off on the disbandment of the unit, saying he was sober when he made the decision on New Year’s Eve in 2024.

Mchunu argued it was unfair for policing resources to be disproportionately focused on one category of crime when South Africa is grappling with widespread and escalating violence driven by multiple factors.

He also denied having any relationship with controversial businessman Brown Mokgotsi, who is alleged to have acted as a middleman between Mchunu and alleged underworld boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, in exchange for favours and access to sensitive intelligence information.

Mchunu further denied knowing Matlala, despite claims that the alleged criminal funded his ANC presidential campaign.

Shadrack Sibiya: Suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner

Sibiya was placed on immediate suspension in September for allegedly interfering in KZN political killing investigations and the disbandment of the PKTT.

He accused Mkhwanazi of misleading the public with his July 6 briefing.

Witness C at the Madlanga Commission alleged that Sibiya received illicit payments from alleged organised crime figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala in exchange for protection from investigation.

Bheki Cele: Former Police Minister 

Cele has alleged that attempted murder accused Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala was financing Senzo Mchunu’s campaign to become the ANC’s next president or deputy.

He told the commission that he knows Matlala well and met with him in December 2024.

Cele also testified that the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team was procedurally flawed.

Rejecting Mchunu’s claims that the unit was draining the department’s budget, Cele described the justification as baseless, arguing the decision could not have been about money but rather about safety.

“For me, it could not have been a question of money. It should have been a question of safety. To say only one councillor has been killed and therefore the unit must be withdrawn, I hope people will not say this is sour grapes,” Cele said.

Brown Mogotsi: Controversial businessman (ANC NW comrade)

He claimed he was informed by a source that General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and King Misuzulu ka Zwelithini are allegedly linked to the CIA.

Mogotsi further alleged that coal mines and export routes linked to Richards Bay are part of broader efforts to influence South Africa’s coal trade.

Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala: Alleged crime kingpin

Matlala, accused of being part of the so-called “Big Five” cartel has accused Bheki Cele of accepting R500,000 in cash in exchange for helping him resolve issues with the South African Police Service.

He claimed the money was paid in two instalments – R300,000 allegedly handed over in a Woolworths shopping bag, followed by a further R200,000, after Cele allegedly intervened following a police raid at Matlala’s Waterkloof Ridge home in December last year.

Matlala further alleged that he provided Cele with financial support, accommodation at his penthouse, and transport through his private security detail.

He insisted that giving money to senior police officials in exchange for assistance did not make him corrupt, arguing instead that Cele was the one acting corruptly by requesting payment after offering assistance.

Matlala said he met suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya on three occasions, all on a professional basis.

He said the first two meetings related to a complaint about an alleged decision by the Department of Public Works to withhold a hospital lease tender he believed had been approved. According to Matlala, Sibiya later told him the national commissioner had rejected the bid.

The third meeting, he said, took place during a police investigation into the 2024 disappearance of Pretoria businessman Jerry Boshoga.

The commission’s interim report has since been handed to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who says he will study its contents as the inquiry prepares to hear further evidence next year.

“President Ramaphosa has expressed his appreciation for the interim report as well as his expectation that the Commission will, as part of its terms of reference, refer to actions thought to be criminal acts for prosecution,” Presidency spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya said.

South Africans are now waiting with bated breath to see whether the findings and recommendations of both the commission of inquiry and the parliamentary committee will translate into real consequences — including meaningful reform, accountability and prosecutions.