Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s plans to run for ANC president may be in trouble. Just as his campaign was gaining attention, shocking allegations were made against him by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner.
These claims were made just months before the ANC’s 56th national elective conference. Mchunu was seen as one of the top figures likely to contest for the presidency, but the situation has now changed.
Commissioner Accuses Mchunu of Protecting Criminals
During a press briefing, Mkhwanazi made strong claims that Mchunu and Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya interfered with major police operations.
He said they helped protect people linked to drug trafficking and political killings. He also said that Mchunu had received money from a businessman who is allegedly connected to crime.
Mkhwanazi claimed that the Political Killings Task Team was shut down to stop investigations into politically connected suspects. He described how evidence collected in Gauteng pointed to a powerful crime syndicate involving politicians currently in Parliament.
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Mchunu Denies Allegations and Stands His Ground
In response, Mchunu denied all the allegations. He said the claims were baseless and lacked any proof.
He said the timing looks suspicious because it comes before the ANC’s leadership race. He thinks it may be a planned attack to hurt his campaign and damage his image.
Despite his denial, many are still asking for more details. The nature of the claims, including mentions of financial transactions and interference in police work, has left many people doubtful.
Experts Say This Could End Mchunu’s Presidency Bid
Dr Metji Makgoba, a political expert from the University of Limpopo, said these events could seriously harm Mchunu’s campaign.
He said once such claims are made in public, it becomes very hard for a candidate to continue without being questioned. He believes Mchunu will now spend more time defending himself instead of building support.
Makgoba also said that Mkhwanazi’s reputation as a strong and honest officer adds more weight to the claims. He is widely seen as someone who always puts the country first.
ANC and Presidency Respond With Concern
The ANC’s secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, said Mchunu must explain the situation to the party leadership.
President Cyril Ramaphosa also responded by calling the allegations a “grave national security concern.” He said that they must be looked into urgently and promised action from the Presidency.
Social commentator Sizwe Sikamusi questioned what Ramaphosa would do next, especially since these issues relate to the same kind of misconduct that State Capture aimed to stop.
He said that these claims could mark the end of Mchunu’s political path if they are proven true.
Public Awaits Clarity While Pressure Grows
Even though Mchunu continues to say he is innocent, the pressure is growing.
Many South Africans are waiting to see if there will be an investigation. Civil groups are asking for an independent inquiry by a retired judge to keep things fair.
There is also concern that these events could affect the credibility of the police force. If high-ranking officials are involved in hiding crime, trust in law enforcement may suffer even more.
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Hi, I’m Amandeep Singh, a content writer at Ramnath Intercollage. I share updates on jobs, internships, and scholarships across South Africa using official and trusted sources. My aim is to make every post easy to read and helpful for anyone looking to apply.
