WATCH LIVE | Madlanga Commission first witness: KZN police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi

KZN police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi is the first witness to appear before the judicial commission of inquiry probing his claims of interference within the criminal justice system.

Here is a summary of his professional profile:

QUALIFICATIONS

Mkhwanazi holds a National Diploma and a BA Degree in policing.

He has also been awarded certificates for qualifying for the supervisor’s role in counterterrorism investigations from the USA, bomb disposal from the Republic of South Africa, and crisis response teams from the USA.

PERSONAL

Nhlanhla Sibusiso Mkhwanazi, was born on Feb 5, 1973 in Edendale, Pietermaritzburg (currently 53-years-old).

He joined the South African Police Service as a student constable in 1993 at the age of 20.

PROFESSIONAL CAREER

Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi's initial deployment was in Public Order Policing where he managed the Public Order Police.

In 2005, he was appointed head of the Special Task Force for his outstanding performance and expertise. This branch of the SAPS manages all specialised operational sections, such as the National Air Wing, National Intervention Unit and the presentation of Special Tasks Force training.

TheSpecial Task Force is the SAPS’s highest specialised operations task team. Heading it calls for special skills, knowledge, and intelligence.

He was appointed as the Component Head: Specialised Operations at a level of Major General on 1 May 2011. His duties included managing the Air Wing, all specialised operations, Public Order Policing, the Tactical Response Team, the National Intervention Unit, the Special Task Force,the Tracking Team, Mobile Operations, as well as Cross -Border Operations.

In October 2011, he was appointed by former president Jacob Zuma as acting national police commissioner, replacing Bheki Cele, who was suspended and eventually fired for meddling in the R1.78 billion police headquarters lease deal. He was also promoted to Lieutenant-General.

In December 2018, Mkhwanazi was appointed as the head of police in KwaZulu-Natal by former police minister, Bheki Cele - a position he currently maintains, with his contract set to expire next year

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