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Sibiya Warns Against Praising Mkhwanazi: ‘We Are Creating a Monster’
Suspended Deputy Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has cautioned South Africans about lauding KwaZulu-Natal police chief Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, warning that excessive praise could foster a “monster” no one can control.
Speaking during the final day of his testimony before Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating police corruption, Sibiya said that if he had acted like Mkhwanazi did during his now-famous combat-gear press conference, he would have been dismissed immediately.
“No provincial commissioner you will see on TikTok. He’s the only one that campaigns and is funded on TikTok. And this wins over South Africans — you touch Mkhwanazi, you touch us, but he’s a policeman. So, I’m just saying there are a lot of things that are wrong that we are supporting as a country, and we are creating a monster that no one is able to control,” Sibiya said.
The suspended deputy commissioner’s remarks highlighted the tension between him and Mkhwanazi. Throughout his two-day testimony, Sibiya made it clear that there is “no love lost” between the two men.
Sibiya dismissed many of Mkhwanazi’s allegations that he had tried to push the disbandment of the political killings task team (PKTT) or interfered in the fight against criminal syndicates in Gauteng. He maintained that the claims were unfounded and insisted that Mkhwanazi’s growing social media popularity could backfire, creating unrealistic expectations and pressure.
Sibiya concluded his evidence on Tuesday night, noting that he would soon prepare for another appearance before the Madlanga Commission to address the same set of allegations.
English (US)