DURBAN - KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has confirmed that authorities are making significant progress in dismantling the notorious "Big Five" cartel.
This group, which has allegedly infiltrated both the South African Police Service and political circles, has been accused of using these systems for their personal gain.
The group is also believed to be behind several contract killings and drug trafficking.
Mkhwanazi explained the group’s ultimate goal was more sinister - attempting to control government operations and influence political outcomes by leveraging money and law enforcement power.
"The Big Five is already identified, so that's already a syndicate," Mkhwanazi stated.
"But this was not just a syndicate that was dealing with normal criminality, but this was a group that their plan was to take over government."
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The KZN top cop reassured the public that efforts to dismantle the cartel were well underway and that they would "neutralise them very soon."
Mkhwanazi is taking his crime-fighting efforts national.
He will lead a team on a new project focused on organised crime.
The team brings together members from different units.
Mkhwanazi said the project would be funded using assets seized from criminal operations.