Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has initiated the formal process to appoint KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as the new National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, widely known as the Hawks.

The Police Ministry confirmed on Thursday that Cachalia has officially submitted a Cabinet Memorandum seeking the necessary concurrence for Mkhwanazi's appointment.

The memorandum is slated to be presented at the earliest available opportunity during an upcoming Cabinet sitting.

The appointment process is being strictly conducted under the legislative framework of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Act 68 of 1995 and cannot be finalised without the formal agreement and concurrence of Cabinet.

Once Cabinet concurrence is achieved, the Act requires that the appointment be formally reported to Parliament for oversight purposes.

The Hawks unit is tasked with investigating South Africa's most severe national priority offences, including complex commercial crimes, systemic corruption, and transnational organised crime syndicates.

According to Police Ministry spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi, filling this top post is a pivotal element of the State's broader "Police Reset Agenda".

The Ministry emphasised that establishing a permanent National Head is crucial for providing the definitive strategic direction, strong leadership, and operational edge required to effectively dismantle sophisticated criminal operations.

The vacancy was left by Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya, who led the Hawks from June 2018 until his official retirement on May 31, 2025.

Following Lebeya's retirement, his deputy, Lieutenant-General Siphesihle Nkosi, has maintained operational stability by serving as the Acting National Head of the unit.

ActionSA has extended its support for Cachalia's recommendation to appoint Mkhwanazi to what it says is a critical national role.

The endorsement follows a turbulent period for the SAPS, which has faced intense scrutiny over the alleged capture of its structures by criminal syndicates.

According to ActionSA MP Dereleen James, the recommendation is the culmination of months of rigorous investigations, parliamentary committee hearings, and immense public pressure.

The crisis within SAPS was brought into sharp focus in July 2025, when Mkhwanazi publicly aired allegations of criminality, political interference, and internal corruption within the police ranks, which led to the establishment of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry.

"Mkhwanazi’s revelations intensified demands for accountability," James noted, adding that subsequent probes have already led to the arrests, suspensions, and dismissals of several high-ranking police officials.

While acknowledging these developments as necessary steps forward, James warned that the road to recovery is long.

“While these are important steps, far more is needed to restore public trust in our law enforcement institutions,” she said.