Justice on the streets: Soweto and Durban residents demand action in ‘Hands Off Mkhwanazi’ marches

As the streets of Durban became a backdrop for impassioned calls for justice, Soweto residents and supporters of Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi took to the streets in support of the brave KZN police commissioner, with calls for the Gauteng police to act on crime in the area.

Marching from Thokoza Park to the Kliptown police station, the small group lamented the recent deaths of councillors and other activists whose deaths have not been resolved, while crime continues to spiral out of control.

In Durban, supporters of Mkhwanazi marched from Curries Fountain to Hoy Park to deliver a memorandum, calling for the police commissioner's protection. 

This march followed his recent media briefing, which has lifted the lid on deep-rooted corruption within the SAPS.

Convenor of the Soweto march, Kgosi Maropeng, indicated that their cries are to ensure that Gauteng police deal with crime in the area, as there has been activists who have died with little to no investigation into their deaths.

"There have been many councillors and activists who have been killed here in Soweto. One of the councillors was shot and killed many years ago. Another councillor in Ward 130 was also killed three weeks ago, when he was shot and killed in his home.

"Till today, there have been no arrests. I want to ask the police here if it is only Mkhwanazi who is a policeman in this country. The question to ask is what are the police doing in this province to help fight crime. We are all affected by crime and all of us represent Mkhwanazi, who is serious about fighting crime," he stated.

Maropeng said illegal mining and drug syndicates have become a law unto themselves as they continue their operations in broad daylight while the police do nothing.

"Illegal miners and drug syndicates are operating freely and building mansions while the police do nothing. Our youth and our children are denied their right to their inheritance and are being lied to. They can't enjoy their freedom because of drugs and zama zamas, who are stealing the minerals," he added.

Maropeng said the memorandum was addressed to the district police commissioner, Nhlanhla Kubheka, concerning Mkhwanazi's recent revelations and Soweto's support of his stance to root out corruption in the police force.

"This memorandum is in support of KZN police commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who has revealed corruption by senior officers in the SAPS, including the infiltration of the SAPS by drug cartels and key politicians. We are concerned that Mkhwanazi is under attack for exposing serious organised crime syndicates who have the potential to destroy the economy and the security of the country," he added.

Joining the Soweto march, Lindiwe Mkhonto from Rockville stated that crime in Soweto has gone out of control due to high levels of substance abuse among young people.

"We are indeed concerned about the high levels of crime and substance abuse in Soweto. This is why I have also joined the march today," she said.

Accepting the memorandum, acting station commander for Kliptown police station, Brigadier Mathe, said the police would endeavour to act on the demands by the community.

"We welcome this memorandum and we undertake to ensure that whatever demands you have made in this memorandum, we will attend to them," he stated.

In Durban, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, who signed and accepted the memorandum, called for society to allow the commission set up by President Cyril Ramaphosa time to do its work. 

"Let’s continue with our lives, but at the same time, let’s work with the police. Crime fighting will continue, not only in this province, but the rest of the country. We will continue fighting crime, so we are asking you that let’s behave. This country, South Africa, belongs to all of us… Let’s behave, let’s be responsible, let’s wait for the process that has been announced by the president," Masemola said. 

"But let’s cooperate with our police wherever we are in our various policing precincts. Let’s make sure that crime fighting continues, you are kept safe by the police, cooperate with them." 

Masemola said he had spoken to Mkhwanazi, and he is fine.

"He’s doing his work; he’s continuing, and the work goes on; day-to-day work goes on," Masemola said. 

Masemola noted it was unprecedented that the public would support Mkhwanazi, adding that he was in support of policing. 

"What I can categorically say is that the political killings task team has been doing sterling work in the province that I’ve seen; I’ve supervised it, and for me, it’s something that should continue doing its work," Masemola said. 

Vincent Mdunge of uMnotho Wabansundu Group said they have given the president 14 days to reply, and if he does not reply, they will mobilise and embark on a national protest. 

He said failure to meet their requests will compel them to escalate the matter to the Public Protector, Judicial Services Commission, parliamentary portfolio committee, and the Constitutional Court. 

Mdunge said the memorandum is from the concerned members of civil society and the democratic watchdog organisations. 

He said they call for the immediate suspension of implicated officials in the sentiments raised by Mkhwanazi and the rejection of the compromised ministerial appointments.

Mdunge said they respectfully demand some of the following: 

1. We call for protection and ethical law enforcement officials.
2. We call for the protection of non-interference and ethical officers such as Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who have consistently demonstrated commitment to the Constitution of the Republic and the rule of the law and anti-corruption efforts. 
3. We demand, as the public, a declaration from the president reaffirming the state’s commitment to ethical governance, judicial independence and separation of powers to restore public trust.

Mdunge revealed that the recently established commission of inquiry that was set up by President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate the allegation of corruption within the police force will not yield the desired results.

"It is not going to serve the interest of the Republic," said Mdunge, who was surrounded by members of uMkhonto weSizwe and March and March.

The organisations have thrown their weight behind the march and their support for Mkhwanazi.

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