Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia has initiated the process to appoint Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as the National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks.
Official process underway
In a media statement dated 29 October 2026, Cachalia confirmed that he has, in terms of the powers vested in him under the South African Police Service Act 68 of 1995, started the formal appointment process.
Section 17CA(1)-(3) of the Act provides that the appointment of the National Head of the DPCI is made by the Minister of Police with the concurrence of Cabinet. The appointment must also be reported to Parliament.
Cachalia has already submitted a Cabinet Memorandum seeking concurrence for Mkhwanazi's appointment. The memorandum will be represented at the earliest opportunity during a Cabinet sitting.
Priority for the police reset agenda
The statement emphasised the critical role of the DPCI in South Africa's fight against organised crime, corruption and other serious priority offences.
“This is a priority for the Police Reset Agenda. The appointment of a National Head is important in ensuring strong leadership, strategic direction and operational effectiveness in addressing these crimes,” the statement said.
Who is Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi?
Mkhwanazi currently serves as the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner. He is a career officer with more than three decades of service in the South African Police Service.
Born on 5 February 1973 in Edendale, Pietermaritzburg, he joined the SAPS in 1993. He began his career in Public Order Policing and later commanded the elite Special Task Force. He served as acting National Police Commissioner in 2011-2012 and has held several senior operational and leadership positions.
He has been KZN Provincial Commissioner since 2021 and was reappointed on a five-year fixed-term contract earlier in 2026. In April 2026 he was also assigned a national oversight and coordination role focused on organised crime syndicates while retaining his provincial responsibilities.
National profile and recent prominence
Mkhwanazi rose to national prominence in July 2025 after he publicly alleged that a criminal syndicate linked to a drug cartel had infiltrated elements of the police, prosecution, intelligence services and political spheres. Those claims led to the establishment of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and a related parliamentary process.
He has since maintained a high public profile as an outspoken advocate for decisive action against organised crime and internal compromise within the police service.
What the appointment would mean
The Hawks are responsible for investigating organised crime, serious economic offences, corruption and other priority crimes. The unit has operated without a permanent national head for a period, making the proposed appointment significant for leadership continuity and the broader Police Reset Agenda under Cachalia.
If Cabinet concurs, Mkhwanazi would step down from his provincial post to take full national command of the DPCI. The process still requires Cabinet approval and formal reporting to Parliament.