SA’s Most Wanted: The Camo Cop Takes Centre Stage

Key Takeaways

• KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi is the Sunday Times newsmaker of the year, securing 65% of votes in an online poll.
• Mkhwanazi’s explosive press briefing on July 6 made damning allegations against high-ranking police officials and politicians, leading to the Madlanga commission of inquiry and an ad hoc parliamentary committee investigation.
• Other notable newsmakers of the year include Nkosana Makate, Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, Jannie Mouton, Nobuhle Nkabane, Shauwn Mkhize, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, Tyla, Kelly Smith, and Collins Letsoalo.
• These individuals have made headlines for their successes, controversies, and scandals, ranging from police corruption and tenderpreneurship to philanthropy, education, and music.

Introduction to the Newsmaker of the Year
KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has been named the Sunday Times newsmaker of the year, following an online poll that saw him secure 65% of votes. Mkhwanazi’s rise to fame began with his explosive press briefing on July 6, where he made damning allegations against high-ranking police officials and politicians, including the since-suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu, police deputy head Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya, and members of the judiciary. His claims led to the establishment of the Madlanga commission of inquiry and an ad hoc parliamentary committee investigation, cementing his position as a household name in South Africa.

Other Notable Newsmakers
Mkhwanazi was competing with nine other newsmakers who have featured prominently in the news cycle this year. These individuals include Nkosana Makate, the inventor of the "Please Call Me" concept, who reached an agreement with Vodacom in their longstanding litigation. Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, a tenderpreneur and attempted-murder accused, has been making headlines for his audacious explanations of how police top brass were captured. Jannie Mouton, the founder of Capitec and PSG, announced one of South Africa’s biggest philanthropic deals this year, purchasing the country’s largest private school operator, Curro Holdings, through the Jannie Mouton Foundation.

Scandals and Controversies
Other newsmakers have made headlines for their scandals and controversies. Nobuhle Nkabane, the former higher education minister, was axed by President Cyril Ramaphosa after just a year in the job amid controversy over appointments to the boards of sector education and training authorities (Setas). Shauwn Mkhize, South Africa’s queen of bling, has been forced to go "minimalist" this year after five auctions of her belongings by the South African Revenue Service to offset the R40m she reportedly owes in taxes. Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the former MP and daughter of Jacob Zuma, has been accused of luring MK Party recruits to Russia, where they found themselves on the frontline in Putin’s war against Ukraine.

Success Stories
Not all newsmakers have been embroiled in scandals and controversies, however. Tyla, the Joburg artist, has been breaking barriers with major wins at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, the American Music Awards, and the MTV Video Music Awards. She has performed at Coachella and Global Citizen and featured on the cover of British Vogue and in Glamour’s Women of the Year issue. Kelly Smith, the mother of missing Joshlin Smith, has evoked strong emotions from the public this year, particularly during her human trafficking trial. Collins Letsoalo, the former Road Accident Fund CEO, has been making headlines for his maniacal defiance of accountability and refusal to account to parliamentary committees.

Conclusion
The Sunday Times newsmaker of the year, Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has been a dominant figure in South African news this year, with his explosive press briefing and subsequent allegations against high-ranking police officials and politicians. Other newsmakers have made headlines for their successes, scandals, and controversies, ranging from police corruption and tenderpreneurship to philanthropy, education, and music. As the year comes to a close, it is clear that these individuals have had a significant impact on the South African landscape, and their actions will continue to shape the country’s future in the years to come.