Call to investigate rogue journalists at News24

KZN Police Commissioner, Lt-Gen. Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has dropped names of journalists who are allegedly captured by rogue Crime Intelligence Officers to push an agenda through stories.

Mkhwanazi said journalists should get heavy punishment for pushing such a narrative.

Testifying before the ad hoc committee probing police criminality in Parliament on Wednesday, Mkhwanazi accused a City Press journalist, Abram Mashego of publishing unsolicited information against him.

During a session of the ad hoc committee, Mkhwanazi stated that specific journalists should be targeted, naming individuals from the Sunday Times, City Press, and News24.

He asserted that the report by the Inspector-General of Intelligence (IGI), which was referenced in News24's coverage, was classified.

Mkhwanazi emphasised the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of Crime Intelligence operations, describing their secrecy as inviolable.

Mkhwanazi has taken issue with a media inquiry sent by Mashego regarding "a legal stab" by General Shadrack Sibiya - a claim that never materialised.

He questioned Mashego's decision to report on what he described as clear misinformation.

The General told committee members that he had screenshot the message to share with a colleague - a copy that was ultimately leaked on social media.

Calling for accountability in the media, Mkhwanazi urged Parliament to consider mechanisms to deal with journalists who publish false or misleading reports.

He warned of the risks that come with unchecked media freedom.

"To say that it's gospel whatever they say - it's wrong. It cannot be like that… There has been a lot of pushback indirectly through the journalists, a lot of media stories written."

Pressed on the role journalists may have played in the controversy, he said:"Some of those journalists who wrote bad things, they are starting to change their tune, and they start connecting the dots themselves."

Still, he was clear not to paint the entire profession with the same brush, saying not all journalists were complicit.

Mashego has yet to respond to the claims.

Mkhwanazi questioned whether it was appropriate for Crime Intelligence matters to be discussed in open sessions of parliamentary committees.

The IGI report at the centre of these discussions recommended both criminal and disciplinary action against National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola and several suspended senior intelligence officials.

The report pertains to the irregular procurement of properties valued at R120 million.

Meanwhile, Mkhwanazi said he would reveal more when given a proper platform - hinting at explosive revelations still to come: "Some of the secrets will shock you."