Pressure is mounting on Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to step down following damning allegations of links to criminal syndicates.
The controversy stems from claims made by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who alleged that Vusumuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala—an accused in an attempted murder case—was awarded a R360 million police contract.
According to Mkhwanazi, WhatsApp messages reveal communication between Matlala and Brown Mogotsi, an associate of Mchunu. Mogotsi reportedly discussed the disbandment of the KZN Political Killings Task Team with Mchunu, following a police raid on Matlala’s residence.
Opposition Parties Demand Senzo Mchunu Steps Down
Political parties have responded swiftly, calling for the Minister to step aside while investigations take place. United Democratic Movement (UDM) Deputy President Nqabayomusi Kwankwa said:
“We are calling on the minister to do us a favour, he can brief us fine but step aside and allow due process to unfold. If he doesn’t, the president will have to act, probably give him a precautionary suspension so that the investigation can unfold.”
David Skosana of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) echoed these sentiments, expressing concern that Parliament may have been misled:
“We were misled by the minister as the portfolio committee for him to not even give us reasons for the disbandment of the task team as General Mkhwanazi was saying here.”
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Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have called for an urgent in-person meeting of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police. EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo praised Mkhwanazi’s actions:
“The EFF salutes Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi for his bravery in standing up to this criminal cabal. His principled stance and commitment to the rule of law are commendable.”
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) went further, calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to establish an Independent Commission of Inquiry, chaired by a retired judge, with a 60-day mandate. The party said in a statement:
“The allegations of criminality, corruption, collusion and interference that have been made against the Police Minister question national security and shake public trust at its very core.”
ANC Youth League Fires Back at Police Commissioner
Amid the rising criticism, African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) president Collen Malatjie struck a different tone—accusing Mkhwanazi of political grandstanding:
“We want the commissioner to act his role as commissioner of police and arrest those who do crime. If he wants to contest for positions, then he must come to the branches of the ANC and contest.”
Malatjie emphasized that the commissioner should focus on making arrests, not holding press briefings:
“If the Minister of Police is doing crime he must be arrested. We are not a lawless country… We don’t want a commissioner who is a pop star; we want a commissioner that acts against crime.”
Ramaphosa to Respond Upon Return from BRICS Summit
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed that President Cyril Ramaphosa is aware of the situation and will address it after returning from the BRICS Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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