Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi Says Crime Is Caused by Absent Fathers
- The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner General, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, discussed what he believes causes crime in South African society
- Mkhwanazi spoke during a stakeholder engagement the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government held in the province on 19 August 2025
- Mkhwanazi's views on the role fathers play in the cause of crime sparked a debate in which betiens held polarising views
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With 10 years’ experience, Tebogo Mokwena, a current affairs writer for Briefly News, provided insights into the criminal justice system, crime statistics, and high-profile cases in South Africa at Daily Sun.
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UMLAZI, DURBAN — The KwaZulu-Natal South African Police Service Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said on 19 August 2025 in Umlazi, Durban fathers play a role in men and women turning to a life of crime.
Mkhwanazi spoke at the Crime-Fighting Imbizo at Glebelands Hostel in uMlazi, led by the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Thami Ntuli. Members of the uMlazi community, social partners, and various stakeholders attended the Imbizo, and Mkhwanazi was one of the keynote speakers.
In a clip MDN News posted on its @MDNNewss X account, Mkhwanaai said absent fathers play a role in children turning to a life of crime. Mkhwanazi also said that soccer matches have to be paused to show the reality of Gender-based violence.
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He said that the District Municipality of Umzinyathi is the source of crime in the province. He also blamed the practice of polygamy in that area for its crime rate.
"Just go around and find any boy that comes from the culture. Most of them say 'I don't know my father', 'my father had me and my siblings and got another wife in Johannesburg, and we grew up, we had to fend for ourselves'," he said.
He said the boys who grow up with their fathers get recruited into a life of crime. He added that the fight against crime is targeted towards the outcomes and not the root cause.
View the X video here:
Recently, Mkhwanazi turned down a R44,000 donation for him to buy a cow after he exposed a drug syndicate that allegedly infiltrated the criminal justice system. He said that the donation should be used to assist in paying for the education of children whose police officer parents were killed in the line of duty.
Mkhwanazi held a press briefing on 6 July 2025 and implicated Senzo Mchunu and Deputy National Commissioner General Shadrack Sibiya in the drug syndicate he exposed. He said that police officers, members of the judiciary, politicians, business people, and prosecutors are involved in this syndicate.
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South Africans discuss Mkhwanazi's take
Netizens commenting on X agree with him.
Mab07 said:
"This I support wholeheartedly. As they say, charity begins at home, but if the home is broken, the whole community suffers."
Black and Blessed said:
"100% spot on. Create greater awareness by targeting the correct audience."
Others disagreed with him.
Damaking African said:
"Weak wannabe public speakers always bring this nonsense as truth."
Single Uncle said:
"He is saying isithembu is the root cause of crime. Let's not forget absent mothers who treat their kids like friends."
Mkhwanazi's take on immigration causes debate
In a related article, Briefly News reported that Mkhwanazi's recent remarks on immigration caused debate. Mkhwanazi said that in the past, there were no borders separating South Africa and neighbouring countries like Lesotho and Eswatini.
Mkhwanazi said that South Africans shop in establishments located in some parts of the country that share borders with Eswatini and Lesotho.
SANTACO vows to cover funeral costs for e-hailing driver
In a related article, Briefly News reported that the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) has pledged to cover the funeral costs of an e-hailing driver killed at Maponya Mall in Soweto on 13 August 2025. 27-year-old Siyanda Mthokozisi Mvelase was shot and then burned in his vehicle during a brutal attack outside the mall. Two other people were injured and treated for gunshot wounds during the attack.
The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) has pledged to cover the funeral costs of an e-hailing driver killed at Maponya Mall in Soweto on 13 August 2025. 27-year-old Siyanda Mthokozisi Mvelase was shot and then burned in his vehicle during a brutal attack outside the mall. Two other people were injured and treated for gunshot wounds during the attack.
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