By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider

The Kwa-Zulu Natal Police Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, is set to remain in his position as KZN’s top cop after he received approval for the renewal of his contract that will see him at the helm for another five years, as his contract was due to expire in March.

“We are in the process of finalising those details. So yes, he will still be Provincial Commissioner of KZN…we have got a good working relationship, and the Premier agreed to the renewal of the contract. So, we are just working on modalities” said National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola, during a broadcast interview, affirming that the KZN Premier is also supportive of this contract renewal.

The announcement was also acknowledged and echoed by the Justice, Crime and Prevention and Security Cluster on their social media pages.

 “KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Sibusiso Mkhwanazi, will have his contract renewed for a further five-year term in his capacity as Provincial Commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal” they said on social media.

Mkhwanazi has been at the forefront of South Africa’s law enforcement circles as well as being a controversial figure among those circles. He rattled feathers last year within the conversation surrounding crime, corruption and upholding institutional integrity.

Last year he had a media briefing which turned the country on its head as he alleged that the justice system has political interference and corruption with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and corruption within the criminal justice system overall.

 In the media briefing last year he also alleged that the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) which was created to uncover politically motivated killings, was wrongfully disbanded and that there were still 120 dockets removed in order to protect crime syndicates and high-profile names attached to these syndicates.

These shocking revelations had created an urgent response from the government with the establishment of the Madlanga Commission of inquiry which is established to probe into these allegations of corruption within the police service.