Lt. Gen. Mkhwanazi Reveals Forensic Omissions and Alleged Police Interference in Swart Case

TSHWANE – KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lt. General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi testified at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry today, highlighting serious challenges faced by investigators handling the high-profile Swart case.

Mkhwanazi told the commission that detectives encountered deliberate omissions of critical information from the police forensic services. These omissions hindered the team’s ability to analyze firearms evidence, which is a key component of organized crime investigations.

“Investigators of this organized crime team started experiencing the omission of critical information that forensic services were supposed to provide,” Mkhwanazi said.

The commissioner further revealed that investigators were invited to meetings with senior police officials at the Detective Services head office, even though the cases they were handling fell under Gauteng province. He added that some investigators were allegedly offered bribes in connection with bail decisions in certain cases, raising concerns about the integrity of senior officials within the police.

“Detectives felt threatened as these engagements seemed to indicate a high level of connection between the accused and senior officials within the police,” Mkhwanazi told the commission.

The commission also heard that Michael Pule Tau, a former police officer and detective, made threats against the investigative team both during his incarceration and while on bail, further complicating the investigation.

Lt. Gen. Mkhwanazi’s testimony underscores the systemic challenges and potential corruption within the police service, highlighting the need for urgent oversight and intervention to safeguard the integrity of South Africa’s justice system.