State capture: Role of South African Black police and ministers in crime questions ruling ANC’s credibility to confront lawlessness
In early July 2025, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the commissioner of police in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, made some startling claims. He called a press conference and, wearing camouflage uniform, he implicated the minister of police, Senzo Mchunu, together with the deputy national commissioner for crime detection, in a scheme to close down investigations into political assassinations in the province.
South African defence crisis: One of Africa’s strongest militaries faces internal fragmentation, credibility, deterrence and maritime neglect
Irregular warfare in the South African context refers to decentralised, asymmetric conflict carried out by non-state actors who use criminal violence, coercion and subversion to undermine state authority. These include armed illegal mining groups, organised criminal groups, smuggling syndicates and extremist insurgent militias. They do not engage in direct, conventional combat.
