KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi was accused of being involved in an assault and torture following the kidnapping of a businessman in 2024 by police sergeant Samkeliso Mlotshwa during his appearance before Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee.
Image: Oupa Mokoena
Suspended South African Police Service (SAPS) sergeant Samkeliso Mlotshwa has made explosive allegations against KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Mlotshwa claimed the Mkhwanazi was present during an assault and torture incident linked to the investigation into the 2024 kidnapping of a KwaDukuza businessman.
Mlotshwa made his claims while testifying before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee on Friday, where he described what he said was a brutal ordeal following his arrest in connection with the kidnapping of businessman Zakariya Desai.
According to Mlotshwa, he and a co-accused were removed from police custody and taken at night to a farm, where they were allegedly assaulted and tortured in the presence of the provincial police commissioner.
“I was told by the provincial commissioner to undress until I was naked,” Mlotshwa told the committee.
He said he was forced to squat while naked in front of his co-accused and was subjected to suffocation using a plastic bag filled with water placed over his head.
“I was suffocated until I almost passed out, and the officer released me only to allow me to breathe,” he said.
Mlotshwa also claimed he was pressured to falsely implicate his co-accused, Esmael Maulide Ramos Nangy, in exchange for a payment of R500,000.
The allegations form part of Mlotshwa’s broader claim that senior police officials were involved in a series of unlawful acts, including torture, illegal rendition, arson and defeating the ends of justice.
He told the committee that the controversial July 6 press briefing by Mkhwanazi may have been triggered by fears that National Commissioner Fannie Masemola could face arrest.
“It is my firm opinion Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi panicked when rumours of the possible arrest of the national commissioner were being circulated,” Mlotshwa said.
He suggested that if Masemola had been removed or replaced, a new acting national commissioner could have initiated a Board of Fitness inquiry into Mkhwanazi’s conduct.
Mlotshwa said his troubles began after Desai's kidnapping in KwaDukuza during September 2024..
At the time, he was stationed at the Lebombo Border Post as part of the SAPS Border Policing Unit.
He said he first became aware that he was being linked to the kidnapping while on a business trip to Mozambique.
During the trip, he received a phone call informing him that armed men had arrived at his house looking for him.
Mlotshwa said he contacted police in Matsulu to investigate.
“They found the guys who introduced themselves as police from KwaZulu-Natal working on the case,” he said.
Despite believing the matter would be resolved because he had nothing to do with the kidnapping, he later claimed his home was burnt down by KwaZulu-Natal police officers in an attempt to cover up their actions.
On November 23, 2024, Mlotshwa said he was arrested in Mozambique by SAPS members who questioned him about the kidnapping while he was at a restaurant.
He said he had travelled there to repatriate the remains of a client for his funeral business.
According to his testimony, he was taken to Maputo where he was detained as an illegal immigrant.
Five days later, on November 28, he was transported to the Lebombo Border Post and handed over to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s tracking team.
“They took me to KwaDukuza. I was handcuffed with no official documents shown,” he said.
“They said I was arrested for kidnapping, attempted murder and extortion.”
Mlotshwa told the committee that he and Nangy appeared before the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court on December 9, 2024.
After the case was remanded, he said they were booked out of the police station later that night and transported in private vehicles to a farm.
One of the vehicles, he claimed, belonged to Desai’s brother, Yakoob, who he said had been assisting police with the investigation.
At the farm, he said the two suspects were separated and subjected to assault and torture.
The criminal case against Mlotshwa and his co-accused was ultimately withdrawn in January 2025.
He told the committee the court ruled that “after careful consideration, the matter is withdrawn”.
Despite the case being dismissed, Mlotshwa said he remains suspended from the SAPS.
He said the suspension was implemented through an irregular process and has had serious consequences for his wellbeing.
“I must deal with mental issues. I must attend to a psychiatrist and must pay cash because they cancelled my medical aid and everything,” he said.
The Ad Hoc Committee heard testimony only from Mlotshwa on Friday, despite four witnesses being scheduled to appear.
One of the witnesses, Teenage Kumbe, reportedly failed to obtain prior permission from the State Security Agency.
Proceedings were abruptly adjourned before the remaining witnesses, Paulina Ramajooa and Theresa Raphoto, could testify.
Committee chairperson Soviet Lekganyane announced that National Commissioner Masemola is expected to give oral testimony on Tuesday.
Mkhwanazi is scheduled to be the final witness before the committee concludes its proceedings.
DAILY NEWS