By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli says the contract of Lt General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as the provincial police commissioner has been renewed for another five years.
Ntuli was speaking on the sidelines of the crime-fighting imbizo in KwaCaluza, aimed at strengthening efforts against fighting crime and improving community safety.
“On the issue of the contract renewal of Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, it has been renewed,” he said.
“The national commissioner (General Fannie Masemola) has written to me, and I have also given concurrence formally and officially. ” Ntuli added.
Ntuli clarified that provincial police commissioners are appointed by the national commissioner in consultation with provincial premiers.
In terms of section 207(3) of the Constitution, provincial commissioners are appointed by the national commissioner with the concurrence of the provincial executive.
SA Police Services (SAPS) also confirmed the renewal, with spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe saying Mkhwanazi had been reappointed for a five-year fixed-term contract.
“[National Police Commissioner General Fannie] Masemola has wished General Mkhwanazi well as he continues to provide stability and decisive leadership in the province of KZN,” Mathe said.
Mkhwanazi has indicated that he is willing to continue serving. Earlier this month, Masemola told Parliament’s ad hoc committee that the KwaZulu-Natal commissioner was prepared to serve a second term, with the process nearing completion.
He holds a National Diploma and a BA degree in policing, along with specialised training in counterterrorism investigations, bomb disposal and crisis response. He joined SAPS in 1993 and later served as acting national commissioner after Bheki Cele’s suspension in 2011.