The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has criticised the allegations against KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, calling them "baseless and politically motivated". This comes after the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) found Mkhwanazi not guilty of interfering with the arrest of a high-ranking official from the Department of Corrections in 2023.

In an interview on EWN, Mkhawanzi claimed that IPID's investigation into him was nothing more than retaliation for his decision to clear Crime Intelligence head Major-General Feroz Khan earlier this year. After officers arrested in a cocaine bust in Johannesburg in 2021 filed a complaint against Khan with the police watchdog, IPID began its investigation. According to Mkhwanazi, because those behind the complaint couldn’t remove Khan, they turned their focus to him instead. However, he remained unfazed, saying: "They can try whatever they will come up with. They can launch any other investigation they want; they have a constitutional right to do so.

I can't stop them, but the truth will always come out. They will conduct this investigation. They can launch any other investigation they want. IOL reported on Thursday that IPID has officially withdrawn its investigation into Mkhwanazi, concluding weeks of speculation and clearing him of any wrongdoing. The investigation, which had raised eyebrows and fuelled widespread media coverage, was dropped this week after IPID found no evidence to support the allegations made against Mkhwanazi. Robbie Raburabu, a spokesperson for IPID, acknowledged the withdrawal but declined to discuss the specifics citing confidentiality protocols. He stated, "The investigation has been closed due to insufficient evidence to proceed."

The party described the complaint as "baseless and politically motivated", arguing it was part of a "broader witch hunt" by elements within law enforcement and the Ministry of Police. The EFF praised IPID's decision in a statement, maintaining that the allegations were meant to distract a dedicated officer who has been unwavering in his fight against corruption and crime. The party cited Mkhwanazi's firm stance against political interference and his crackdown on criminal networks in KwaZulu-Natal as examples of a coordinated effort to undermine him. “The complaint formed part of a broader witch hunt, orchestrated by forces within the Ministry of Police and other compromised elements in law enforcement, who feel threatened by Mkhwanazi's refusal to bow to political pressure,” stated Sinawo Tambo, national spokesperson for the EFF.

The party described the complaint as a tactic to shield criminals by targeting those who expose them. “The attempt to smear his name, based on an anonymous allegation that has now been quietly abandoned, reflects a dangerous abuse of state institutions,” Tambo said. The party also criticized the role played by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, claiming that he interfered with police operations and made public statements too soon. "The EFF demands that the Minister of Police cease his political interference and his emerging tendency to make pronouncements on matters without thoroughly investigating their validity," reads the EFF's request. Additionally, the party criticized IPID's handling of the situation, claiming that the agency's contradictory actions undermine public trust in oversight institutions.

“It is clear that there was never a legitimate basis for this investigation,” the party said, calling the probe’s withdrawal “a step in the right direction". They made the point that police officers must be allowed to carry out their duties without fear or favor.