Crowdfunded gift for Lt-Gen Mkhwanazi redirected to SAPS Education Trust

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed that funds raised in a BackaBuddy campaign to ‘buy two cows’ for KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi will be donated to the South African Police Service Education Trust (SAPSET), pending official approval.

The crowdfunding campaign was launched by social media users last month as a gesture of appreciation for Mkhwanazi.

The campaign exceeded its initial target of R35,000, raising a total of R44,074. 

It followed Mkhwanazi’s explosive allegations of political interference and the shielding of criminals within SAPS.

According to Mkhwanazi, senior police officials, including Police Minister Senzo Mchunu who is currently on a special leave – interfered in politically sensitive investigations and orchestrated the disbanding of elite anti-corruption units. 

He accused Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya, deputy national commissioner for crime detection (currently on leave), of colluding with North West information dealer Brown Mogotsi and Mchunu to dismantle the KZN political killings task team.

The unit was disbanded in March 2025, effectively suspending 121 active dockets, many of which were linked to politically motivated killings. 

Mkhwanazi presented WhatsApp messages, SAPS documents and cellphone records to support his claims.

In response to the allegations, Mchunu argued in a letter dated December 2024 to National Police Commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola that the unit had “outlived its usefulness.” 

Following the revelations, President Cyril Ramaphosa placed Mchunu on special leave and established a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the allegations. Professor Firoz Cachalia has since been appointed as acting Police Minister.

The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster confirmed that Mkhwanazi is awaiting formal approval from the office of the National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola to have the donated funds transferred to SAPSET.

“The Office of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, is awaiting approval from the Office of the National Commissioner to allow donated BackaBuddy funds, raised through a donation campaign by prominent X app accounts, to be deposited into the South African Police Service Education Trust (SAPSET) account, as per the directive of the Provincial Commissioner,” the JCPS Cluster said in a statement.

Once approved, the funds will be used to support the educational needs of children of police officers who died in the line of duty. 

“Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi extends his sincere gratitude to everyone for their generous support and contributions,” the statement continued

SAPS national spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe confirmed the same.

“Once the approval has been granted, the money will be used to pay for fees, books and uniforms of children whose mothers and fathers died on duty,” Mathe wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

The SAPSET, which was established in 2010 has assisted more than 1,000 bereaved children with their education.

Meanwhile, IOL News previously reported that the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has confirmed that the Judicial Commission of Inquiry, chaired by retired Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, is projected to cost R147.9 million over six months. 

Department spokesperson Terence Manase stated the department has applied for a deviation from standard procurement processes due to time constraints and is awaiting feedback from National Treasury.

“We have since applied for deviations from the National Treasury, but the amount that we have put on the table is what we estimate,” said Manase.

“I did not check what could be the reason and challenge for the deviation,” he previously told IOL News.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL News