Jeff Radebe, the African National Congress (ANC) KwaZulu-Natal convener, has reassured the public that there is little risk of unrest in the province, despite threats of protests if KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi is disciplined. President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to mchunu-saga-tests-ramaphosa/">address the nation on Sunday evening, 13 July 2025, regarding Mkhwanazi’s recent allegations against senior police officials and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.
In a dramatic media briefing last week, Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu and other colleagues of undermining the rule of law, alleging that the minister obstructed investigations, including the closure of a task team probing political killings in KwaZulu-Natal. He claimed the team’s disbandment was linked to a criminal syndicate involving politicians, police, and business figures. Supporters of Mkhwanazi’s tough stance on crime have threatened street protests if he is suspended or dismissed for his remarks.
Speaking in Johannesburg, Radebe downplayed concerns, stating, “From where I sit, I don’t foresee any upheaval at the moment. This is just a normal press conference, even though it was dramatic.” He dismissed comparisons to the violent 2021 unrest in KwaZulu-Natal, sparked by former President Jacob Zuma’s incarceration, and called for calm.
President Ramaphosa, who was attending a BRICS Summit in Brazil when the allegations emerged, described the issue as a “grave national security concern” and promised a thorough response. The ANC, through secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, has emphasized the need for an urgent investigation into the claims, which raise serious questions about the integrity of law enforcement in the province.
