Senzo Mchunu Launches Legal Action Against KZN Police Over “Intimidation” Raid at His Home
Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has instructed Werksmans Attorneys to take legal action against the KwaZulu-Natal police, demanding the immediate release of details surrounding a search warrant allegedly used during a controversial operation at his home earlier this week.
The dispute follows a search and seizure attempt on 8 October 2025, which Mchunu’s legal team says was conducted unlawfully and forms part of a broader campaign of “intimidation and defamation” against their client.
In a strongly worded letter dated 9 October, Werksmans Attorneys accused members of the provincial police of trying to execute an improper search of the minister’s residence. The letter, addressed to National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, demands a copy of the search warrant by 10am on 10 October, warning that failure to comply will result in urgent court proceedings.
“Our client’s instructions are that on 8 October 2025, members of the KwaZulu-Natal police attempted to enter his residence to conduct a search and seizure of electronic devices,” the letter reads.
The lawyers argue that the police operation lacks legal basis and appears to be part of an orchestrated effort to tarnish Mchunu’s name amid ongoing corruption and fraud investigations against him.
Legal Challenge and Demands
The law firm has made two key demands of the national commissioner:
- That he and his members immediately cease all acts perceived as intimidation or defamation against Mchunu; and
- That they produce a copy of the search and seizure warrant used during the raid.
“[We] demand a copy of the search and seizure warrant by 10am on 10 October 2025 in order for our client to assess its legality and, if necessary, challenge it in court,” the attorneys wrote.
The tight deadline highlights the seriousness with which Mchunu’s legal team views the matter, suggesting they believe there are strong grounds to challenge the legality of the operation.
According to the correspondence, similar police actions were also carried out at the home of Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, while officers mistakenly arrived at the wrong address belonging to Mchunu’s chief of staff, Cedrick Nkabinde.
Werksmans Attorneys note that Commissioner Masemola admitted awareness of the operation during testimony before a parliamentary ad hoc committee, lending weight to their client’s claims of improper procedure.
Background to the Allegations
The police investigation into Mchunu stems from claims that he conspired with businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and Brown Mogotsi to disband the political killings task team in KwaZulu-Natal. The alleged motive was to protect Matlala from scrutiny after the task team questioned him about a kidnapping case in December 2024.
According to court papers deposed by Brigadier William Kunene, Mchunu, Sibiya, Matlala and Mogotsi are all listed as suspects in the investigation. Kunene says digital evidence extracted from Matlala’s seized iPhones reveals messages suggesting a plot to dismantle the task team.
“I have arranged a meeting for Sibiya and the minister; they must have a solution,” Mogotsi allegedly wrote to Matlala.
Another message reads:
“The task team that came to your house and harassed you have been dissolved; they got the letter on Monday. As we speak, they are bringing all dockets to Sibiya.”
Kunene’s affidavit notes that these conversations occurred on 1 January 2025, just one day after Mchunu issued a directive on 31 December 2024 instructing that the task team be disbanded.
Origins and Work of the Task Team
The political killings task team was formed in 2018 by President Cyril Ramaphosa through an interministerial committee. It was created to address escalating political violence in KwaZulu-Natal.
By December 2024, the task team had been assigned 333 politically related dockets, including:
- 171 murder cases involving 173 deaths;
- 50 attempted murder cases;
- 79 cases of intimidation;
- nine conspiracy-to-commit-murder cases; and
- 24 other investigations.
Victims included 59 councillors, 58 political party members, 31 office bearers, and 25 municipal officials.
Contradictory Statements and Corruption Allegations
Mchunu also faces fraud charges over conflicting statements to Parliament about his relationship with Brown Mogotsi.
During a portfolio committee meeting on 5 March 2025, he denied knowing Mogotsi when questioned by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. However, following Mkhwanazi’s media briefing on 6 July, Mchunu changed his position.
“On 9 July 2025, and after Mkhwanazi’s press briefing, Mchunu reneged on his earlier denial of knowledge of Mogotsi… and stated that he knows him and that he is a comrade and not an associate,” Brigadier Kunene stated in his affidavit.
The corruption allegations relate to claims that Matlala financially supported Mchunu’s political campaign and paid certain expenses on his behalf.
“Further messages show that Matlala financially supported Mchunu’s political campaign and paid for certain expenses for the direct or indirect benefit of Mchunu,” the affidavit reads.
Kunene argues this constitutes gratification under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, particularly given the minister’s role in dissolving the task team.
Internal Police Tensions and Further Cases
Court papers also reveal internal tensions between Sibiya and Masemola over how to handle the task team’s disbandment. While Masemola called for a phased withdrawal to protect ongoing cases, Sibiya pushed for immediate closure.
“Sibiya failed to comply with Masemola’s instructions. On 17 January 2025, and unbeknown to Masemola, Sibiya signed off the letter which Masemola had rejected,” Kunene stated.
In addition to the main corruption probe, two other criminal cases have been opened.
- DA MP Lisa-Maré Schickerling filed charges in Cape Town, accusing Mchunu of lying to Parliament.
- MK Party MP David Mandla Skosana lodged a separate complaint in Brooklyn, citing fraud and obstruction of justice.
Ongoing Investigation
Brigadier Kunene is now seeking a court order to forensically examine the seized iPhones and SIM cards belonging to Matlala to establish whether communications link the suspects to the alleged conspiracy.
The devices are expected to reveal potential evidence relating to political campaign funding, the task team’s disbandment, and the police visit to Matlala’s residence in December 2024.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed that the South African Police Service (SAPS) had received correspondence from Mchunu’s lawyers.
“The SA Police Service confirms the receipt of the above correspondence. An instruction has been given to the Office of State Attorney as attorneys of record to provide feedback in this regard,” she said.
As the standoff between Mchunu and the KwaZulu-Natal police intensifies, the former minister appears determined to challenge the legality of the operation and protect his reputation amid the growing political storm.
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