News

Phala Phala Shadows: Why Ramaphosa Can’t Easily Act on Mchunu Allegations

Published

2 months ago

July 8, 2025

zaghrah

Sourced: X {https://x.com/CetshwayoG/status/1897713090646409246}

A political crisis is boiling over in South Africa, but President Cyril Ramaphosa’s hands may be tied, by his own past.

As Police Minister Senzo Mchunu faces bombshell allegations of shielding a criminal syndicate and interfering with a task team probing political killings, pressure is mounting for Ramaphosa to take action. But, according to political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe, the president’s credibility crisis stemming from the unresolved Phala Phala saga is muddying the waters.

“Ramaphosa cannot act decisively without those within the ANC or public raising the Phala Phala elephant in the room,” Seepe explained. “He doesn’t enter this matter as a clean umpire. He’s already compromised.”

A House Divided: ANC at a Crossroads

Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, KwaZulu-Natal’s top cop, made headlines this week after claiming Mchunu meddled in operations to protect politically connected crime bosses. He alleges Mchunu shut down the Political Killings Task Team precisely because it was closing in on a drug cartel tied to Parliament figures.

Mkhwanazi says one key suspect in Gauteng was caught with text messages from Mchunu, and that a meeting was arranged between the minister, Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, and the suspect’s associate.

Both Mchunu and Sibiya deny any wrongdoing, calling the claims baseless and politically motivated.

Still, the ANC’s top brass isn’t brushing it aside. Mchunu has reportedly been summoned to Luthuli House to face the party’s Integrity Commission. And with Ramaphosa flying back from the BRICS summit in Brazil, insiders say a response is imminent—if complicated.

The Phala Phala Dilemma

Ramaphosa’s ongoing scandal around the hidden cash at his Phala Phala farm, and the alleged cover-up that followed, remains unresolved in the eyes of many South Africans. That affair, which involved the mysterious theft of foreign currency stashed in furniture, has already undermined the president’s anti-corruption narrative.

Professor Seepe argues that these new allegations against Mchunu hit at the heart of Ramaphosa’s “renewal project” within the ANC. If Ramaphosa is slow or weak in response, it could erode public trust further. But if he acts too hastily, he risks internal rebellion from factions already skeptical of his leadership.

“It’s a no-win situation. Taking action could be seen as hypocritical, given his own unresolved issues,” Seepe said.

Public and Political Pressure Builds

The allegations have shocked the public, with #MchunuMustGo trending on X (formerly Twitter). Civil society groups are calling for an independent inquiry, and opposition parties are demanding immediate suspension pending investigation.

Some within the ANC fear this may not just be about law enforcement, it’s about the future of the party. The integrity of the SAPS, already strained by perceptions of politicisation, is at stake. More importantly, this moment could define how seriously the ANC takes internal accountability.

Mkhwanazi’s credibility, meanwhile, remains high with the public. Known for his tough stance on crime and clean image, his claims have been met with alarm rather than skepticism.

The ball is now in Ramaphosa’s court. With political rivals circling, the ANC fractured, and the nation watching, how he handles Mchunu’s case could set the tone for the remainder of his presidency.

But as Seepe warned, “A credible president must act decisively. But Ramaphosa will always be reminded—he, too, has skeletons still waiting to be unpacked.”

As South Africa waits for clarity, one thing is certain: the Phala Phala scandal isn’t just a footnote in Ramaphosa’s tenure, it’s the shadow trailing every decision he makes.