KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi rejects claims of interest in Hawks leadership position

KwaZulu Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has dismissed claims that he is one of the people looking to secure the Hawks' top job, stating that he prefers to be part of the "action".

This follows media reports indicating that he, along with Shadrack Sibiya, the deputy national police commissioner responsible for crime detection, and Tebello Mosikili, the deputy national police commissioner responsible for policing, were interested in applying for the position.

The Hawks' top job is set to become available in May when current boss Godfrey Lebeya's term comes to an end.

Responding to questions from the Portfolio Committee on Police on Wednesday, Mkhwanazi stated that he will never submit an application for the Director of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) post.

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"If anyone feels that I was going to pursue any post beyond this, they are mistaken, I know there are colleagues who are eager for posts that are going to be vacant," Mkhwanazi said.

"When I joined the SAPS, 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. I never wanted to be a detective specifically, because I wanted to be involved with the real action, which is a combination of both investigation and combatting, in the main.

"I will never submit my application for the post of DPCI. 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 will go home and relax," Mkhwanazi said.

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