DURBAN - A crime expert believes that KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) top cop Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has what it takes to expose the Big Five, a cartel operating in South Africa and linked to organised crime.
This comes after Mkhwanazi said they are closing in on the cartel.
It allegedly infiltrated the SAPS and the political sphere, using the systems for their own benefit.
READ | Mkhwanazi: “Big Five” cartel to be neutralised soon
According to crime expert Chad Thomas, Mkhwanazi is a man of his word, and if he said it, then it will happen.
“I don’t think Mkhwanazi is known for saying things and not delivering on them. He comes with receipts. When he says they are closing in, you can take it as a matter of fact that they are,” Thomas said.
Thomas said this breakthrough will be a great accomplishment for the SAPS as it would mean that they are moving in on breaking the back of organised crime in the country.
Mkhwanazi is expected to take on the mission at a national level with a crime-fighting project.
Mkhwanazi, who recently renewed his five-year contract with the province, said he will not completely move from his role as KZN police commissioner.
READ| Mkhwanazi takes crime-fighting nationally
He confirmed the new deployment on the sidelines of the launch of the new SAPS Forensic Laboratory in Durban.
He said his national team was already hard at work, analysing dockets and profiling syndicates operating across the country with national links.
According to Mkhwanazi, the project will be funded using assets seized from criminal operations.
Thomas said Mkhwanazi is well-experienced and has proven his worth while exposing the rot within the criminal justice system.
On the issue of experienced officers on a national level, Thomas agreed there was a deficit of not just leadership, but capabilities within the detective service.
He said this boils down to issues such as budget, despite the SAPS having the biggest budget.
“The fact remains they are still curtailed by resources. What makes the development of this unit important is that it's going to be funded by the Criminal Assets Recovery Account (CARA), which means that we won’t be looking into the SAPS budget but criminals themselves.