South Africa’s suspended police minister, Senzo Mchunu, has accused a senior law enforcement official of blindsiding him with public corruption allegations instead of addressing concerns privately. In a legal filing to the Constitutional Court, Mchunu asserted he was “completely caught off guard” when KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi held a press conference accusing him of shielding criminal gangs. The claims emerged as Mchunu remains on leave pending a judicial inquiry into alleged criminal infiltration within South Africa’s police and intelligence agencies.
Mchunu, who denies all wrongdoing, criticized Mkhwanazi for airing grievances publicly without prior discussion. “General Mkhwanazi had ample time to raise his concerns with me directly,” he stated, emphasizing his surprise at the sudden accusations. The suspended minister’s response forms part of a legal challenge against former president Jacob Zuma’s MK Party, which contests President Cyril Ramaphosa’s authority to place him on leave.
Central to the dispute is Mchunu’s decision to disband a specialized police task team, which Mkhwanazi linked to protecting criminal networks. Mchunu countered that national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola had overseen the unit’s closure, providing a detailed plan without objections. “If Masemola was opposed to the disbandment, he certainly did not communicate this to me,” Mchunu said, according to local outlet City Press. He further denied claims of interfering with law enforcement operations, insisting he adhered to proper protocols.
The judicial commission investigating the allegations holds broad authority to subpoena witnesses, seize evidence, and recommend prosecutions. Its six-month mandate includes probing potential criminal influence within the South African Police Service, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and State Security Agency. Interim reports will be submitted every three months, with final findings presented to Parliament and the judiciary.
Mchunu also rejected applying the African National Congress’s (ANC) “step-aside rule”—which requires party members facing criminal charges to vacate public office—arguing it is irrelevant since he has not been formally charged. He reiterated to President Ramaphosa his willingness to participate in an open process to disprove the allegations.
The case underscores deepening tensions within South Africa’s security apparatus amid efforts to address systemic corruption. Analysts suggest the inquiry’s findings could have far-reaching implications for public trust in law enforcement, particularly as the nation grapples with high-profile organized crime cases. With Mchunu vowing to clear his name and Mkhwanazi yet to publicly respond, the dispute highlights the challenges of balancing accountability with due process in politically sensitive investigations.
