Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Sibusiso Mkhwanazi has become one of the most influential voices in South African law enforcement. His long career in the South African Police Service (SAPS) is built on training, discipline, and an unshakable belief in professional policing. But recently, his name has also become synonymous with courage, for speaking out about what he describes as political interference, corruption, and criminal networks within the state itself.
This article explores the complete list of Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi qualifications and his own reflections on policing, institutional decay, and the fight to restore integrity in South Africa’s security structures.
Article Highlights:
• Full academic and tactical list of Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi qualifications
• His testimony about political interference and discipline erosion in policing
• His experiences leading SAPS specialised units and acting as National Commissioner
• His call for structural reform and transparency in intelligence and policing
• How his qualifications and training shaped his leadership philosophy
Academic and professional foundation of Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi qualifications
Born in 1973 in Edendale, Pietermaritzburg, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi joined the SAPS in 1993 after completing his police college training. His decision to serve came from a personal conviction formed during his youth — witnessing violence in his community and feeling the need to fight criminals on the ground rather than watch justice fail.
He went on to earn a strong academic background focused on policing and law enforcement management. His qualifications include:
• National Diploma in South African Special Forces Operations
• National Diploma in Police Administration
• B-Tech Degree in Policing
• BA Degree in Policing
He completed his studies through Technikon SA, the University of South Africa (UNISA), and the SAPS Special Task Force Academy. These qualifications provided the theoretical grounding for his later leadership in tactical and strategic policing.
Advanced tactical and international training
Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s education does not stop at formal degrees. His list of professional qualifications reflects a rare blend of local and international experience that prepared him to manage elite units and complex investigations.
He completed several specialised programmes, including:
• Executive Development Programme at the Africa Institute for Mentoring
• Station Management Learning Programme – SAPS
• Operational Commanders Training – SAPS
• Supervisors Role in Counterterrorism Investigations – US Department of Justice (FBI)
• Crisis Response Team Training – Louisiana State University, USA
• Bomb Disposal Certification – SAPS
• Development Programme for High-Performance Managers – Paul Tingley Management Services
• Class 4 Emergency Diving Certification – SAPS
• Special Task Force Operators Training – SAPS
• Public Order Police Operations – SAPS
Each qualification built on his operational experience, giving him command over units that deal with hostage rescue, counterterrorism, and high-profile criminal arrests.
Why Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi joined the police
Speaking before Parliament, Mkhwanazi described the deeply personal reason behind his career. Growing up in a township, he witnessed people being murdered with no justice served. That experience, he said, drove him to join the police not to sit behind a desk, but to confront criminals directly.
“I joined the police to fight criminals. That is why I chose the career that I chose,”
He told MPs. His first deployment was to the Internal Stability Unit, later known as the Public Order Police, before transferring to the elite Special Task Force after being inspired by their operational discipline.
From that point onward, his career became defined by action, precision, and integrity — qualities that shaped the leadership style he is known for today.
Observations on discipline and political culture in policing
Mkhwanazi explained that after the amalgamation of policing services in the 1990s, a new culture began to take root. Political language and factional alignments slowly replaced discipline and merit. “Comrade” became more common than “officer,” and professionalism weakened.
He linked much of the internal decay to what he called “deployment cadres” — politically appointed officials who entered specialised environments without operational background. Over time, this eroded the sense of hierarchy and accountability.
The deterioration was most visible in Crime Intelligence, where leadership positions were sometimes filled through political favour. According to Mkhwanazi, this allowed individuals to capture intelligence resources, manipulate investigations, and use information as a weapon rather than a tool for justice.
Crime Intelligence and the “slash fund” era
When Mkhwanazi joined Crime Intelligence in 2011, he found the unit in crisis. The misuse of the secret services account, commonly referred to as the “slash fund,” had become a national scandal. Funds were reportedly diverted for personal gain, and illegal interceptions had eroded public trust.
He recalled a common phrase among officers at the time: “When you speak on the phone you must first greet General Mudi before you speak to the person you’re calling,” a reference to widespread unauthorised surveillance.
That period revealed how deeply corruption had penetrated key policing institutions — and how urgently reform was needed.
Acting National Commissioner: conflicts and resistance
Mkhwanazi was appointed Acting National Commissioner of the SAPS during a meeting with the President. The appointment came unexpectedly, but the challenges began almost immediately.
He clashed with the Minister of Police over the issue of operational independence after being instructed to halt disciplinary and criminal action against a senior official. When he refused to comply, he found himself sidelined. He described being placed on leave and effectively immobilised, with counterintelligence monitoring his movements.
His position was clear: “I refused to be party to instructions that I believed were wrong and unlawful.”
This confrontation became one of the key reasons behind his later whistleblowing and testimony before Parliament.
The Political Killings Task Team and command challenges
Mkhwanazi also spoke about the Political Killings Task Team (PKT), an initiative aimed at investigating politically motivated murders. He admitted the team struggled from the start due to poor coordination, limited resources, and unclear authority lines.
He revealed that several murder dockets from KwaZulu-Natal were moved to Pretoria without his knowledge, raising serious questions about operational control. The decision, he said, had been made by General Kumalo, bypassing the chain of command.
He viewed the incident as an example of how disorganisation and internal politics undermine critical investigations.
External interference and private actors
Perhaps the most alarming part of Mkhwanazi’s statement involved claims of private individuals interfering with policing operations. He referred to a non-state operator allegedly linked to surveillance technology and profiling of public officials.
He urged Parliament to investigate the procurement and use of such gadgets, asking that bank movements, meeting venues, and import trails be scrutinised. “If a person gives you a gun to shoot and you take that gun and shoot someone, it’s your problem. But we must find out who gave you the gun.”
For him, this issue was not about personal grievances but national security.
Structural reform and decentralisation
Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi proposed that South Africa reconsider how its police are structured. He argued for aligning police jurisdictions with court systems rather than municipal boundaries, suggesting this would improve efficiency and accountability.
He emphasised that this was not a call for a return to apartheid-era homeland structures, but for a rational, performance-driven approach similar to policing models in federal countries. Research, he said, should guide any redesign.
What needs to happen next
In his address to Parliament, Mkhwanazi outlined several actions he believes are essential:
• Parliament must investigate private individuals influencing police appointments or handling classified material.
• Surveillance equipment procurement trails should be audited for legality.
• Criminal cases arising from ministerial interference must be prosecuted transparently.
• Oversight bodies must review the power of ministers to classify investigation reports.
• Ethical and judicial committees should act where MPs or judges are implicated in corruption.
• Police structures should be reviewed to improve efficiency without weakening national control.
Final reflections from a lifelong officer
After more than three decades in uniform, Mkhwanazi’s reflections are as much about principle as they are about leadership. He reminded Parliament that the fight against corruption is not just about punishing individuals but about rebuilding systems that serve citizens fairly.
“I have spent my life in policing. I stood in township streets and vowed to fight crime. What I have seen in recent years is not just incompetence; it is the politicisation of structures that must be impartial.”
His message remains one of duty and persistence: policing must be independent, accountable, and professional. His qualifications — both academic and experiential — have made him one of South Africa’s most knowledgeable voices on security and governance, and his testimony continues to shape the national debate about how justice should work in a democratic state.
FAQs on Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi Qualifications
What qualifications does Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi hold?
Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi holds a National Diploma in South African Special Forces Operations, a National Diploma in Police Administration, a B-Tech Degree in Policing, and a BA Degree in Policing. These qualifications reflect both his academic and operational background in law enforcement.
Where did Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi study?
He studied at Technikon SA (now part of the University of South Africa) and the SAPS Special Task Force Academy. His combination of academic and tactical education reflects a career built on discipline and advanced professional training.
What specialised training has Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi completed?
He has completed several professional development and tactical programmes, including the Executive Development Programme through the Africa Institute for Mentoring, Crisis Response Team Training at Louisiana State University (USA), and the Supervisors Role in Counter-Terrorism Investigations Programme under the US Department of Justice (FBI).
Does Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi have international qualifications?
Yes. His international training includes work with the FBI in counter-terrorism investigations and advanced tactical response courses in the United States. These international experiences have contributed to his expertise in crisis management and policing strategy.
What makes Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s qualifications unique?
Unlike many senior officials, Mkhwanazi’s qualifications combine academic study, specialised operational training, and leadership development. He is both a field-trained tactical commander and a graduate in policing management, which gives him rare insight into both frontline and executive-level policing.
How have his qualifications influenced his policing career?
His education directly shaped his leadership style. From managing the Special Task Force to serving as Acting National Commissioner, his qualifications enabled him to operate across complex areas of policing, intelligence, and administration with confidence and credibility.
What local and international institutions has he trained under?
Locally, he trained with the SAPS Special Task Force Academy and the Africa Institute for Mentoring. Internationally, he completed courses with the US Department of Justice (FBI) and Louisiana State University, focusing on counter-terrorism, crisis response, and leadership development.
What degrees did he earn before joining SAPS leadership?
Before leading SAPS divisions, he earned a National Diploma and B-Tech in Policing, followed by a BA Degree in Policing. These studies provided him with a theoretical foundation in law enforcement management and public administration.
Does Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi continue professional development?
Yes. He continues to advocate for ongoing training and skills improvement within SAPS, encouraging officers to pursue both academic and tactical qualifications. His own career is evidence of lifelong learning and professional growth.
