Judges Matter challenges Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to back up his claims against judicial officers

Judges Matter, a non-profit organization, has cautioned Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi against making unsubstantiated allegations against judicial officers without providing evidence. The warning comes in response to Mkhwanazi's claims during a parliamentary speech on August 19, 2025, that some judges, magistrates, defense lawyers, and prosecutors were colluding with criminal gangs. Mkhwanazi did not provide names of the individuals involved but stated that he knew who they were.

Judges Matter, along with the Legal Practice Council, has called on Mkhwanazi to present his evidence to the relevant authorities, such as the Magistrates Commission or the Judicial Service Commission, for a proper investigation. Mbekezeli Benjamin, a Research and Advocacy Officer at Judges Matter, emphasized that making allegations without backing them up with proof can cause reputational damage and undermine public trust in the justice system.

He urged Mkhwanazi to draft and submit his allegations in an affidavit to the appropriate commissions.

Benjamin cautioned the public against using platforms like Parliament or news media to unfairly damage the reputations of individual judicial officers. He stressed that any allegations of impropriety against judicial officers must be substantiated and followed by swift and fair investigations. If substantiated, he urged for action to be taken against the individuals involved.

Earlier, on July 6, 2025, Mkhwanazi made allegations in a press conference that certain senior police officers and suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu were working with organized criminal gangs. This led to the formation of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and an Ad Hoc Committee in Parliament. The allegations resulted in the suspension of Mchunu and other senior police officials, as well as criminal prosecutions for many police officers.

Mkhwanazi claimed that certain court officers are corrupt, but did not provide names. He called on the Legal Practice Council to investigate the alleged lawyers' conduct and also requested the Magistrates Commission and Judicial Service Commission to look into the behavior of court presiding officers. He stated that judges, lawyers, prosecutors, magistrates, and judges themselves can be part of criminal gangs, and unethical behavior is not exclusive to any profession.