There Can Never Be Peace Between Me And General Sibiya, Says Police Commissioner, Mkhwanazi

KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has delivered explosive testimony before a commission of inquiry, declaring that reconciliation with suspended Deputy National Commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya is impossible, as the relationship between the two most senior police officials has broken down irreparably.

“I can tell you now, there can never be peace between me and General Sibiya,” Mkhwanazi stated emphatically when questioned about the possibility of mending ties amid deepening tensions within the South African Police Service leadership.

Mkhwanazi’s testimony laid bare severe institutional dysfunction within SAPS, as he outlined a pattern of alleged interference in sensitive investigations. He specifically accused Sibiya of meddling in matters linked to the Political Killings Task Team in KwaZulu-Natal, as well as attempting to interfere in the high-profile investigation into the murder of rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes.

The Police Commissioner also implicated suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, alleging he played a role in interfering with the task team’s work. He revealed that former Police Minister Bheki Cele had been approached to facilitate peace talks between him and Sibiya, but those efforts never materialised after Lieutenant-General Hilda Khosi Senthumule allegedly claimed Sibiya had mentioned Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema in relation to arranging such a meeting.

Mkhwanazi turned his focus squarely on Senthumule, revealing he had removed her from Crime Intelligence in 2012 due to alleged abuse of the secret service account. “I removed her at Crime Intelligence in 2012. Nobody asked why. Just so you know the history. It is all because of this abuse of secret funds account, attending functions and parties, church gatherings and stuff like that that should not be attended, using the money,” he testified.

He expressed bewilderment that Senthumule, whom he described as untrustworthy, had risen through the ranks to become a senior police general despite his earlier concerns. “Senthumule cannot be trusted. I could not trust her in 2012, that is why I removed her from Crime Intelligence. I cannot trust her now,” Mkhwanazi said.

The committee was shown a recorded conversation between Senthumule and Sibiya regarding the movement of Political Killings Task Team dockets from KwaZulu-Natal to Gauteng. Mkhwanazi argued the recording contradicted Senthumule’s earlier testimony, in which she claimed ignorance about how the files ended up in Gauteng and stated she had not seen them. According to Mkhwanazi, the recording suggested Senthumule supported relocating the dockets and encouraged the Minister to summon her and Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo to account for the matter.

Mkhwanazi painted a picture of systemic corruption within Crime Intelligence, alleging that several officials had personally benefited from secret funds, including by leasing property to the police. He claimed many irregularities dating back to 2011 and 2012 were never fully investigated because leadership changes within SAPS disrupted ongoing probes.

He further alleged that Senthumule had been accused of receiving funding from businessman Cat Matlala for BBL, allegations she has denied. His testimony suggested the problems within SAPS extend far beyond individual personalities, pointing to longstanding institutional dysfunction, the misuse of intelligence resources, and interference in politically sensitive investigations.

While many of the claims remain contested, Mkhwanazi’s evidence has added significant pressure on SAPS leadership and raised fresh questions about the integrity of Crime Intelligence and the handling of sensitive cases.