KZN premier urges Masemola to fast-track Mkhwanazi contract renewal

By Thapelo Molefe

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has urged National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola to expedite the renewal of provincial police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s contract, saying delays are creating uncertainty as his term nears its end this month.

The provincial government said the correspondence followed an earlier engagement on 31 December 2025, during which Ntuli backed the renewal of Mkhwanazi’s contract, which is due to expire at the end of March 2026.

“The delay in finalising the process has begun to create uncertainty among members of the public and key stakeholders,” Premier spokesperson Lindelani Mbatha said in a statement.

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Under Section 207(3) of the Constitution, the national commissioner appoints a provincial commissioner with the concurrence of the provincial executive, meaning Ntuli’s support is required but does not itself complete the appointment.

Ntuli said stable leadership in the police service