Madlanga Commission: Mkhwanazi defends wearing Special Task Force uniform

KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has rejected claims that he violated protocol by wearing the Special Task Force uniform during his explosive media briefing on 6 July.

It was at that briefing that Mkhwanazi blew the lid on acts of political interference in the criminal justice system and police corruption.

Mkhwanazi was criticised by some politicians for donning the military-like uniform, while flanked by several armed officers.

Mkhwanazi testified at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Friday, which was appointed as a result of that explosive media briefing.

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He said there is no merit to the claims that he breached protocol by wearing the uniform.

"There are many people who call themselves experts who blamed me for breaking protocol. I submit that I did not break any protocol. I believe that action would have been taken against me for breaking protocol. I did not break any protocol."

Mkhwanazi justified the decision to wear the police task force uniform.

"We wanted to communicate a message to South Africans that we are ready. We were communicating with these drug squads, politicians, the executive police officers that we are ready for them. So for me, I don’t sneak up on a person. I face them directly."

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