Lt Gen Mkhwanazi destroys Police Minister Senzo Mchunu's dreams to become South Africa's next president

JOHANNESBURG – Police Minister Senzo Mchunu's ambitions to ascend to the highest office in the land are hanging by a thread following explosive allegations of corruption and ties to criminal gangs levelled against him by KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address the nation at 7 PM on Sunday evening to respond to allegations of political interference within the South African Police Service (SAPS), and to announce a commission of inquiry into allegations that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu interfered in certain police investigations and has a dodgy relationship with police service provider Vusumuzi “Cat” Matlala.

Mkhwanazi's accusations came shortly after the arrest of senior officials within the crime intelligence division, including its head, Dumisani Khumalo.

The allegations, made during a media briefing last week, are likely to damage Mchunu’s political prospects and are of great concern among his supporters. Mkhwanazi claimed that Mchunu had ties to controversial businessmen such as Mogotsi and Matlala, who received a lucrative R360 million contract with the SA Police Service. He also alleged that Matlala was funding Mchunu’s political ambitions.

Mkhwanazi also accused Mchunu of receiving money from an allegedly corrupt businessman to fund his political endeavours and of meddling in police investigations into politically motivated murders. He warned that such interference could undermine law enforcement and erode public confidence in the police.

Mchunu, a close ally of President Cyril Ramaphosa, is one of the ANC leaders tipped to challenge for the party’s top posts, including the presidency. He previously said he did not know Mogotsi, but later admitted that he was a “comrade”.

Though the ANC has discouraged the succession debate, lobby groups have been working around the clock to convince their preferred candidates to contest the 2027 party elections. Mchunu’s supporters were also hoping that after the disappointment of 2017, when Mchunu was “robbed” of being the party’s secretary-general, the hope was that he would step up in 2027 when Ramaphosa’s term ends.

However, Mchunu’s alleged relationship with businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and his alleged decision to disband the political killings task team are viewed by some as major setbacks for those who support his political ambitions.

Following Mkhwanazi’s allegations, the police minister denied having connections to Matlala. He also downplayed his relationship with Brown Mogotsi, who is alleged to be the middleman between the minister and Matlala. Mchunu dismissed Mkhwanazi’s allegations as “wild”.

A source within the ANC stated that some members of the lobby groups backing Mchunu have been left confused and worried. “We know that some of the leaders have started lobbying and eliminating the potential rivals. We expect these dirty tricks to play out ahead of the party’s national conference,” said the source. The source added that though they could speak openly about it at the moment, they were worried about the future.

Another source said they heard different stories about Ramaphosa’s address. “Some are saying he [Mchunu] is going to be reshuffled and some are saying there will be a commission of inquiry to investigate him. Whatever happens, we still have time to deal with the case before 2027,” said the source.

According to the source, ANC deputy president Paul Mashatile, who is also tipped to challenge for the top post, was not guaranteed that position. It was reported in the past that ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula was eyeing the top position. “To be honest, it is still too early to talk about the future of Mchunu because of what was said by Mkhwanazi,” said the source, who added that they understood the seriousness of the allegations. “But that does not mean [he is] guilty. You are innocent until proven guilty.”

The source said they were waiting for Ramaphosa’s announcement today to map the way forward. The president, who is said to have held a separate meeting with Mchunu and Mkhwanazi this week, is expected to address the nation on Sunday night on Mkhwanazi’s revelations.

The source added that those charges needed to be tested in court and Mchunu’s side has not been heard. “Whether he remains the minister or not, he will remain a member of the organisation in good standing,” said the source.

Meanwhile, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema called for the dismissal of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu after being implicated in serious acts of corruption.

Malema made these remarks in Mpumalanga on Saturday on the sidelines of former Deputy President David Mabuza's funeral. He said that it was concerning that Mchunu could have been involved in undermining the police’s work.

"The president should fire Mchunu with immediate effect. He came with baggage. He's new to this position but he’s already tainted. This is a man who went to that institution to do wrong things. If you want our people to have confidence in the police, you must fire the executive authority."

Malema said that should the president decide to keep Mchunu in his position, the police service would be brought to its knees.

A report in City Press states that the president has considered three options regarding Mchunu:

1. Move Mchunu to another portfolio while the commission of inquiry takes place.
2. Allow Mchunu to step down voluntarily.
3. Force the minister to step aside once police officially open an investigation.

The Sunday Times reports that Mchunu has asked Ramaphosa to grant him special leave.

Sources told the Sunday Times that Mkhwanazi’s press briefing was an attempt to gain public support ahead of any attempt to arrest him.

What is less clear is what action Ramaphosa will take against Mchunu.

Meanwhile, The Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) says it has formally written to KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, requesting him to furnish evidence to support his statements regarding the judiciary working with drug syndicates in Gauteng.

“Such claims, made without substantiation, are extremely damaging. They are damaging to public confidence in the independence and integrity of our courts. And our courts are a fundamental pillar of our constitutional democracy.

“As such, any suggestion of impropriety within the judiciary is treated with the utmost gravity,” said Bongiwe Gambu, media liaison officer in the private office of the chief justice.

“If any person, including Lt Gen Mkhwanazi, has credible evidence of unlawful or unethical conduct committed by a member of the judiciary, they are urged to report such matters to the legally mandated structures of the state.

“Unsubstantiated allegations, however, regrettably undermine the administration of justice. They also weaken public trust in our institutions, which are essential to upholding our constitutional democracy,” said Maya.

“The judiciary reaffirms its unwavering dedication to justice, transparency, and the principles enshrined in our Constitution. Should any judicial officer be found to have acted unlawfully or unethically, appropriate action must be taken without any hesitation,” said Gambu.

The nation awaits President Ramaphosa's address with bated breath, as the future of Police Minister Mchunu's political career hangs in the balance.

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