Mkhwanazi rules himself out of Hawks top post despite move to appoint him

KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has publicly ruled himself out of contention for the position of National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), despite Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia initiating a process that could see him appointed to the vacant post.

Cachalia submitted a Cabinet memorandum seeking concurrence for Mkhwanazi’s appointment as head of the Hawks, in line with Section 17CA(1) to (3) of the South African Police Service Act. If Cabinet approves the recommendation, the appointment must be formally reported to Parliament.

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The position has been vacant since the retirement of former Hawks head Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya in May 2025. Lieutenant-General Siphesihle Nkosi has since been serving in an acting capacity.

Mkhwanazi said he has no interest in becoming the head of the DPCI and will not apply for the position.

Addressing reports that had linked him to the post, Mkhwanazi said speculation about his interest in the role was misplaced.

“..Not because of arrogance or whatever, but I can certainly tell you that I believe I’m the oldest or the longest-serving lieutenant-general in the set-up of the South African Police Service. And I’m in the highest notch of this level that I’m in. I cannot get any promotion beyond what I have.”

He said suggestions that he would pursue another position within the SAPS hierarchy were incorrect.

“So if anyone would feel that I was going to pursue any post beyond this, they are mistaken. I know there are colleagues that are eager for the post that is going to be vacant.”

Mkhwanazi said his policing career had always been focused on operational law enforcement rather than detective work, explaining that he deliberately chose specialised policing units when he joined the service.

“When I joined the South African Police Service, it was my resolve to face the criminals directly. That’s why I joined the Public Order Police Unit. And from there, I moved to the Special Task Force,” he said.

“I never wanted to be a detective specifically because I wanted to be involved with the real action that is a combination of investigation and combating crime.”

The KwaZulu-Natal commissioner said media reports portraying him as a candidate for the Hawks position did not reflect his intentions.

“They then go and put my face out there as if I’m the person that wants to become a DPCI head.”

In his statement on the matter, Mkhwanazi said he would not apply for the position and intended to complete his current term as provincial commissioner.

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“I’ll say in front of the public and to the colleagues that are within the South African Police Service who are interested to apply for the post that they must feel free that I will never submit an application for the post of DPCI.”

He said his focus remains on serving out the remainder of his contract in KwaZulu-Natal.

“I remain here to see to it my contract is done, a contract that has got a year to go before it ends. And I will do my job and from there I’ll go home and relax.”

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