Parliamentarians have demanded that KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi appear before the inquiry into corruption in the criminal justice system to explain why he suddenly retracted explosive allegations he made against former Police Minister Bheki Cele.
The controversy erupted after Mkhwanazi, in a text message to the inquiry on Thursday, withdrew his earlier testimony that implicated Cele in alleged financial dealings with attempted murder-accused businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
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Mkhwanazi’s Bribe Allegation Abruptly Withdrawn
Two weeks ago, while testifying before the Ad Hoc Committee probing corruption in the justice system, Mkhwanazi told Parliament that Cele had allegedly sent Matlala a bank account number into which money was deposited.
However, on Thursday, Chief Evidence Leader Advocate Norman Arendse SC informed the inquiry that Mkhwanazi had sent a message withdrawing the allegation.
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“The team that was working on the analysis got the bank account wrong, and that it is not a reference to you. The allegation is withdrawn with due apologies from Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi for any inconvenience or hurt caused,” Arendse said.
Cele, who was present, responded simply: “Okay.”
MPs Say Retraction Must Be Formal
Lawmakers across political parties were quick to criticise the withdrawal via text message, calling it inappropriate given the gravity of the claim.
EFF leader Julius Malema said Mkhwanazi must formally write to the committee to explain his retraction, rather than sending messages through intermediaries.
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“We can’t be members of this committee, and people come here and make serious claims, then retract them casually. He must communicate to us formally — and that must then be made public,” Malema said.
ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli echoed Malema’s stance, saying the issue was “serious” and could not be resolved with a simple message.
“This was a sworn statement under oath,” Ntuli said. “It must be treated with the same seriousness. Anyone can send a message from another person’s number — that’s why he must appear before us again.”
‘Reputational Damage Can’t Be Undone by a Note’
DA MP Glynnis Breytenbach described Mkhwanazi’s retraction as inadequate, saying his initial testimony had already caused significant reputational harm.
“He has done a lot of reputational damage; it can’t be undone by a little note,” Breytenbach said.
Committee Chairperson Soviet Lekganyane confirmed that Mkhwanazi would be required to amend his sworn statement and make a public apology before the committee.
“It would be very good to have this done in the same forum where the statement was made,” Lekganyane said. “If he is directed to apologise, it must be done publicly to both General Cele and the people of South Africa.”
Cele Defends His Actions
Cele used the session to clarify his interactions with Mkhwanazi, denying any wrongdoing.
He said the only time he had spoken to Mkhwanazi about personnel matters was when Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi approached him about recruiting someone for the province’s new Crime Warden initiative.
“I asked him if he could speak to Major-General Khumalo about the job offer. There was nothing sinister about it,” Cele said.
He also dismissed Mkhwanazi’s claim that they had not spoken since that incident, saying they had communicated in June following a murder in Newcastle. “It’s not true that we never spoke again. We did speak,” Cele said.
Arendse confirmed that Mkhwanazi’s legal representative, Advocate Lerato Zikalala, has already been informed that he must address the committee in writing.
The inquiry will decide whether to summon him for questioning and require a formal apology before concluding that portion of its hearings.
The committee resumes next week as it continues to probe widespread corruption allegations within South Africa’s law enforcement and justice structures.
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