JOHANNESBURG – Pressure is mounting on South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa to take decisive action against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu amid growing allegations of interference in police investigations and corrupt ties with a controversial police service provider.
Ramaphosa was scheduled to address the nation at 7pm on Sunday night, where he was widely expected to announce the formation of a commission of inquiry into alleged political meddling and shady dealings within the police service.
At the centre of the storm is Minister Mchunu, whose future in the security cluster appears increasingly uncertain after explosive claims by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, suggested a deliberate attempt to protect politically connected individuals from prosecution.
During a public briefing last week, Mkhwanazi accused the national police leadership of shielding certain businesspeople from investigation and exerting pressure on officers to abandon cases involving allies of the ruling party.
The Sunday Times has reported that Mchunu, under scrutiny for his alleged links to businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, has requested special leave. He is also accused of being connected to Brown Mogotsi, believed to act as an intermediary between the minister and Matlala. While Mchunu initially claimed not to know Mogotsi, he later conceded that he was a political “comrade”.
City Press revealed that Ramaphosa is considering three possible moves: reassigning Mchunu to another portfolio while the inquiry unfolds, allowing him to step down voluntarily, or suspending him altogether should a criminal investigation be opened.
Meanwhile, the broader police service is already under intense public glare following the arrest of high-ranking officials within the Crime Intelligence Division, including its boss Dumisani Khumalo. These arrests have stirred speculation that an internal turf war is unfolding between powerful factions.
The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (Idac) is said to be examining procurement irregularities implicating both Mkhwanazi and national commissioner Fannie Masemola. Some insiders suggest that Mkhwanazi’s dramatic public statements were an attempt to build public sympathy ahead of potential legal action against him.
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