Mkhwanazi confronts Adams on cowardice claims

Mkhwanazi confronts Adams on cowardice claims
Nokuthula Khanyile
Thu, 03/19/2026 - 08:40























CAPE TOWN - KwaZulu-Natal top cop Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has criticised MP Fadiel Adams for accusing him of cowardice.
Adams previously slammed the KZN Police Commissioner for going on leave during the 2021 July unrest.
Appearing in Parliament on Wednesday to wrap up his testimony, an annoyed Mkhwanazi explained how he left his wife and newborn child to return to KZN as soon as he could. 
He said he took offence that Adams accused him of prioritising the child and neglecting his duty. 

READ | Fadiel Adams lays more charges against Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi 

Mkhwanazi said during the unrest he made personal sacrifices to protect South Africans.
“If I can do that and someone who is a leader of society doesn’t appreciate, I take offence.  
Instead, he told MPs it was former Minister of Defence, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula who ran July unrest operations from a luxurious Durban hotel.
"The facts and timelines of the violence are there. We are not in the business of thumb sucking dates," he said.