The Democratic Alliance (DA) has revealed that former Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is now the subject of a criminal investigation by the South African Police Service (SAPS), adding yet another twist in the deepening crisis at the top of the country’s security leadership.
DA Deputy Chief Whip Baxolile Nodada announced on Wednesday that a senior Lieutenant Colonel has been appointed to investigate charges laid by the party against Mchunu last week. The charges relate to allegations that Mchunu misled Parliament regarding his relationship with Brown Mogotsi — a man allegedly linked to a powerful criminal syndicate with ties to senior police and political figures.
The DA accuses Mchunu of fraud and of breaching the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act by giving conflicting accounts about Mogotsi. In March, Mchunu told Parliament’s police portfolio committee that he did not know Mogotsi. However, in a more recent public statement, he referred to Mogotsi as a “comrade.”
“This is a serious offence,” said Nodada. “Parliament is the structure to which the executive must account honestly and truthfully. Misleading Parliament, lying, and fraudulent cover-ups cannot be tolerated from ANC ministers. Senzo Mchunu, like all South Africans, must abide by the law.”
The DA has also submitted Mchunu’s conduct to Parliament’s Ethics Committee for further investigation.
However, SAPS has remained silent on whether the charges were formally registered or not. National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe has yet to confirm or deny the existence of the case, despite both the DA and the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party publicly confirming the opening of criminal cases against Mchunu last week.
Mantashe Steps In as Acting Police Minister
Amid the fallout, President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe as Acting Minister of Police with immediate effect. The move comes as Mchunu was placed on special leave pending the outcome of a Commission of Inquiry into state capture and alleged criminal infiltration of police and intelligence structures.
Mantashe will occupy the role until Professor Firoz Cachalia assumes the position at the beginning of August. Cachalia is currently concluding his academic tenure at the University of the Witwatersrand.
Critics have slammed the decision to appoint Mantashe, suggesting it reveals deeper problems within government structures.
ActionSA Member of Parliament, Dereleen James, questioned why none of the current Deputy Police Ministers were asked to step in.
“This begs the question: what are deputy ministers paid to do if they cannot step in when their principals are unavailable?” asked James. “Or is this an admission that these roles exist only to accommodate cadre deployment at taxpayers’ expense?”
James added that the situation at SAPS remains “volatile and poses a real and present threat to national security.”
“Much can happen in two weeks. In the absence of genuine reform, a revolving door of political leadership is a futile misdiagnosis that fails to confront the deep-rooted crisis of incompetence, mismanagement, corruption, and criminal infiltration within SAPS.”
Mounting Political Pressure
The growing scandal surrounding Mchunu and the temporary appointment of Mantashe has fueled questions about the stability of President Ramaphosa’s Government of National Unity (GNU). Internal tensions have been rising as coalition partners pull in different directions over key appointments and governance decisions.
On Sunday, Ramaphosa announced a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate widespread allegations of criminal infiltration within the state’s security architecture. These include claims of interference with investigations, collusion between state officials and criminal syndicates, and the undermining of police operations.
The African National Congress (ANC) has welcomed the President’s decision, calling it a necessary step to restore trust in public institutions.
“The allegations are serious, far-reaching, and go to the core of the integrity of the state,” said ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu. “The President’s announcement demonstrates an unwavering commitment to constitutional democracy and accountability.”
She added that while there is a public appetite for swift justice, legal credibility must not be sacrificed. “South Africa’s Constitution demands that even the fight against corruption be conducted within the bounds of legality, transparency, and fairness.”
A Crisis in Numbers
According to the latest data from the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), public confidence in SAPS has dropped to 28% — one of the lowest in democratic history. The crime rate has also risen steadily, with 7,710 murders recorded in the first quarter of 2025, compared to 6,894 in the same period last year.
The leadership crisis within SAPS comes as more than 50 high-ranking officers face internal investigations related to corruption and maladministration.
The unfolding drama around Mchunu and the interim appointment of Mantashe highlights the scale of the challenge facing Ramaphosa’s administration — balancing constitutional accountability, coalition politics, and a public desperate for stability.
As the SAPS leadership vacuum persists, the spotlight remains fixed on the President’s next move — and whether the coming Commission of Inquiry will bring real change or simply add to South Africa’s long list of expensive, inconclusive investigations.
