Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is facing a political firestorm as three major political parties — the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, and the Democratic Alliance (DA) — simultaneously mount legal and parliamentary pressure following explosive allegations of corruption, political interference and dishonesty made against him.
In a dramatic escalation of the scandal that has shaken South Africa’s policing and executive leadership, parties across the ideological spectrum have opened criminal cases, laid ethics complaints, and called for Minister Mchunu’s immediate suspension, citing breaches of the law and Parliament’s own codes of conduct.
The MK Party on Thursday lodged a criminal complaint at the Brooklyn Police Station against Minister Mchunu and Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, citing obstruction of justice, criminal conspiracy, abuse of power, and unlawful interference in police operations — including the alleged disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team in KwaZulu-Natal.
“We refuse to stand idle in the face of injustice,” said MK Party national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela. “Minister Mchunu stands accused of orchestrating a systematic effort to derail investigations into political killings, intimidate whistleblowers and interfere in the SAPS.”
Commissioner Sibiya faces a similar litany of charges including tampering with evidence and violating the SAPS Act. The MK Party further warned that if it emerges the disbandment of the task team was based on a forged or unauthorized letter, fraud and forgery charges could follow.
“This is a deliberate and coordinated attempt to obstruct justice and protect politically connected individuals. As public representatives, we have a duty to act,” said Ndhlela.
DA Hits Mchunu with Fraud Charges and Ethics Complaint
In Cape Town, the DA moved swiftly on its own front. Deputy Chief Whip Baxolile Nodada announced that the party had laid a formal criminal charge of fraud against Minister Mchunu for allegedly lying under oath to Parliament about his ties to controversial businessman Brown Mogotsi.
In March this year, Mchunu denied knowing Mogotsi during a session of the Police Portfolio Committee. But just days ago — on July 9 — he issued a statement referring to Mogotsi as “a comrade”, triggering fury and suspicion that the Minister may have misled Parliament in violation of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament Act.
“This is a criminal offence. No Minister should be allowed to blatantly mislead Parliament and walk away with impunity,” said Nodada. “President Ramaphosa’s silence is deafening. We will not sit back while the credibility of the SAPS is undermined by deception and political protection.”
In addition to the criminal complaint, the DA has submitted a formal complaint to Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests, demanding a full investigation and disciplinary action.
EFF Lays Formal Parliamentary Ethics Affidavit Against Mchunu
Not to be left behind, the EFF has submitted a detailed and damning affidavit to Parliament’s Ethics Committee, signed by Chief Whip Nontando Nolutshungu, accusing Mchunu of violating both the Executive Members’ Ethics Act and Parliament’s 2014 Code of Ethical Conduct.
In her affidavit, Nolutshungu said Mchunu’s contradictions regarding Mogotsi’s identity and his alleged role in interfering with SAPS operations constitute serious ethical breaches. She referenced direct evidence provided by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, including WhatsApp messages allegedly linking Mogotsi and Mchunu.
“Minister Mchunu deliberately lied to Parliament,” Nolutshungu stated. “This violates every legal and ethical obligation imposed on members of the Executive and Parliament. He must be held to account.”
The EFF’s complaint points to multiple clauses of both the Ethics Code and Executive Code which prohibit dishonesty, conflict of interest, abuse of power, and misleading the legislature. According to the affidavit, Mchunu’s conduct exposes him to both parliamentary sanction and potential criminal prosecution.
Parliament Acts Cautiously as Pressure Mounts
While opposition parties intensify pressure, National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has confirmed that three parliamentary oversight committees have been tasked with probing Mkhwanazi’s allegations.
These include the Police Portfolio Committee, the Justice and Constitutional Development Portfolio Committee, and the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence.
Didiza, however, has declined urgent debate requests from opposition MPs, saying Parliament should allow committees to conduct their oversight before tabling the matter for plenary discussion.
“These allegations are serious, but they remain untested. Let the oversight mechanisms do their work,” said a statement from her office.
This parliamentary response follows Mkhwanazi’s jaw-dropping July 6 briefing in which he implicated Mchunu in political interference, unlawful instructions, and shielding of corrupt officials — including businessman Vusumuzi “Cat” Matlala, who was recently arrested for attempted murder and is linked to a controversial R360 million SAPS contract.
Ramaphosa’s Silence Draws Widespread Criticism
Despite the growing list of accusations, President Cyril Ramaphosa has yet to act against Mchunu. He has not suspended the Minister, announced an internal probe, or commented substantively on the allegations beyond promising to “deal with the matter” upon his return from the BRICS Summit in Brazil.
This silence has prompted backlash across the political spectrum, with critics accusing the President of dithering in the face of clear ethical violations.
“The President’s inaction is unacceptable,” said Nodada. “If he can’t act against a Minister accused of lying to Parliament, what message is he sending about integrity in government?”
A Crossroads for SAPS and the Executive
With opposition parties mobilised, parliamentary oversight underway, and the media spotlight growing sharper, Minister Senzo Mchunu finds himself at the centre of a rapidly escalating crisis that may determine the public’s trust in law enforcement and political accountability.
As one EFF MP put it: “This is no longer just about Mchunu. It’s about whether the executive still answers to the law.”
Whether or not the Minister survives politically, one thing is now clear — the battle for justice within South Africa’s policing ranks is far from over.
SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said she will comment as soon as she knows whether the cases are indeed opened. As soon as she comments, the editor shall update the comment.
This is a developing story.
