BREAKING: Cachalia moves to appoint Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as Hawks head

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia wants KZN police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, above, to be the national head of the Hawks.

The Acting Minister of Police, Firoz Cachalia, wants Cabinet's approval to appoint KZN police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to lead the Hawks nationally.

Cachalia has submitted a formal Cabinet memorandum seeking concurrence for the appointment under the South African Police Service Act 68 of 1995.

“The memorandum will be presented at the earliest opportunity during a Cabinet sitting,” the police said in a statement.

Section 17CA(1)–(3) of the Act provides for the Minister of Police to appoint the national head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks, with Cabinet’s concurrence.

The appointment must also be reported to Parliament.

The proposed appointment comes as the government intensifies the fight against organised crime, corruption and other serious offences.

“This is a priority for the Police Reset Agenda,” the police said.

If appointed, Mkhwanazi will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and direction to the unit, which investigates serious priority crimes.

It is unclear who would replace him as KZN commissioner.

Earlier this year Mkhwanazi assumed dual national roles when he began overseeing a co-ordinated central command designed to merge Crime Intelligence, detectives, and tactical units across provinces to dismantle sophisticated syndicates, while still holding his position as KZN commissioner.

A former Special Task Force unit commander, Mkhwanazi served as acting National Police Commissioner between 2011 and 2013 before returning to KZN as the provincial head in 2018. He rose to national prominence when, on July 6, 2025, he accused senior government officials — including suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu — of colluding with criminals and obstructing investigations. His press conference forced President Cyril Ramaphosa to suspend Mchunu and establish the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.