Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's biography: all about the KZN Police Commissioner
Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's name has become synonymous with a no-nonsense approach to law enforcement. His willingness to defend the badge's honour with his life has made him a symbol of integrity for many South Africans. He told the Sunday Independent in 2012:
I am a cop. I want the police environment to have clean cops. If we want to fight crime, we must rid the SAPS of criminals.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has worked in the South African law enforcement sector since 1993.
- He held several senior positions within the SAPS, including head of the Special Task Force, before becoming the KZN provincial police commissioner in 2018.
- He made headlines in July 2025 with explosive allegations against high-ranking officials in government and the SAPS.
Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's profile summary
| Full name | Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla 'Lucky' Sibusiso Mkhwanazi |
| Date of birth | February 5, 1973 |
| Age | 52 years old (as of August 2025) |
| Place of birth | Edendale, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Marital status | Married |
| Siblings | The late Constable Skhumbuzo Mkhwanazi |
| Education | B.Tech in Policing, National Diploma in Police Administration |
| Profession | Law enforcement official (Lieutenant-General) |
| Rank | KZN Provincial Police Commissioner (2018 to date) |
Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's background and family
Mkhwanazi was born and raised in Edendale, a historic South African township in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. The lieutenant-general had a younger brother, Skhumbuzo Mkhwanazi, who passed away in January 2012.
A then-32-year-old Skhumbuzo worked as a constable in the public order police unit in Pietermaritzburg. He was found dead in a ditch at Pelham after a night out with friends and a confrontation with a motorist. He was reportedly fleeing from an altercation with fellow police officers, but his official cause of death was kept private.
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Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's wife is in law enforcement
The KwaZulu-Natal police boss often keeps his family life out of the spotlight and does not have social media accounts, but he is a husband and a father. Mkhwanazi and his wife, who reportedly works in the police force, welcomed a child in July 2021 at the height of the KZN unrest that was triggered by the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma.
Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's qualifications
Nhlanhla has a B-tech degree in Policing and a National Diploma in Police Administration. He has earned several qualifications within the police force, including the Certificate in Operational Commanders Training for Supervisors Role in Counterterrorism Investigations from the US Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation.
In November 2024, Mkhwanazi received the Risk Influencer of the Year during the Risk Excellence Awards held by the Institute of Risk Management South Africa (IRMSA). The award celebrates individuals who enhance safety through proactive risk practices.
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Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's rise in law enforcement
Mkhwanazi joined the South African Police Service in 1993 as a student constable and became a Lieutenant General in 2011. His first deployment was in Public Order Policing before he was made the head of the Special Task Force in 2005. He also served as SAPS' Divisional Commissioner: Human Resource Development.
Nhlanhla became the acting national commissioner of police in October 2011 at the age of 38. The then-president, Jacob Zuma, appointed him after the suspension of Bheki Cele, who had been implicated in a controversial R1.78 billion police headquarters lease deal.
Mkhwanazi was made KZN's provincial police commissioner in December 2018, and his contract will end in December 2025. In July 2025, EFF leader Julius Malema urged him to reapply for the position or be promoted to a national role because the country "cannot afford to lose him."
The current commissioner of police in South Africa is Lieutenant-General Sehlahle Fannie Masemola. He was appointed in March 2022 to succeed General Khehla Sitole.
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Mkhwanazi's allegations against senior SAPS and government officials
In a July 2025 explosive exposé, Mkhwanazi publicly accused Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya of colluding with criminals to suppress investigations. He alleged that 121 case dockets were removed from the special unit probing political killings in KZN to protect politically connected individuals.
In response to the allegations, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate. Mchunu was placed on immediate leave but has denied Mkhwanazi's claims.
This is not the first time Mkhwanazi has called out powerful officials for abuse of power. In 2012, he suspended the then head of Police Crime Intelligence, Richard Mdluli, after he was accused of attempted murder, nepotism, and corruption. Mdluli was sentenced to five years in prison in September 2020 but was released on parole in July 2022.
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Mkhwanazi's call for the independence of provincial police commissioners
52-year-old Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi is known for his strong stance against the involvement of law enforcement officers in politics. During his stint as acting national commissioner of police, he vowed to 'deal severely' with any officer playing politics.
In an August 2024 Mail & Guardian interview, the Lieutenant-General stated that provincial police commissioners need more authority and financial autonomy, especially in politically volatile regions like KwaZulu-Natal.
Our performance plans, at the moment, align with national priorities, but there may be priorities in provinces of what the provincial government wants, for example, gang violence in the Western Cape, and political killings in KwaZulu-Natal.
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Conclusion
Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's rise from Edendale to becoming a respected law enforcement official is an inspiring narrative of service. His actions are slowly restoring citizens' faith in the South African police service.
READ MORE: A look at Bheki Cele's net worth and former minister of police salary
Briefly.co.za highlighted Bheki Cele's current fortune. He trained as a teacher and joined politics during apartheid.
Cele served as South Africa's national police commissioner under Jacob Zuma's administration and later became the minister of police under Ramaphosa's presidency. He retired from politics in 2024 to prioritise family time.
Source: Briefly News
