ANC Grants Senzo Mchunu Special Leave Amid Corruption Fallout

ANC Grants Mchunu Special Leave as Corruption Inquiry Deepens

The African National Congress (ANC) has confirmed that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has been granted special leave from all party activities a move that comes as the governing party scrambles to manage growing fallout over corruption allegations linked to Mchunu’s name.

Speaking during a media briefing in Johannesburg, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said the decision was taken after Mchunu formally requested to step back from his duties in the National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Working Committee (NWC).

The announcement marks a sharp turn from the ANC’s earlier position, when the party dismissed reports that Mchunu had sought special leave.

From Denial to Decision

Mbalula explained that the decision to allow Mchunu to step aside was guided by the party’s “Guidelines and Procedures on Credibility and Integrity”, a policy adopted in 2021 to manage ethical breaches within the ANC’s ranks.

He clarified that Mchunu has not been formally charged or indicted, but the move was made “in light of the ongoing inquiry” and to protect both Mchunu and the party from further reputational damage.

“In light of the commission’s work and what it requires of him, it is practically impossible not to agree to his request,” Mbalula said. “This ensures he carries no undue burden, nor does the ANC, as we deal with these matters.”

The Allegations and the Madlanga Commission

Mchunu’s troubles stem from his alleged political interference within the South African Police Service (SAPS) specifically, his directive to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PTTT), a specialized unit investigating politically motivated murders in KwaZulu-Natal.

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, is expected to probe the matter in depth. While Mchunu has already appeared before Parliament’s ad hoc committee, he has yet to testify before the commission itself.

The move to grant him leave is seen as a bid to allow him space to prepare for his testimony and reduce public scrutiny on the ANC as the inquiry unfolds.

Public Reaction and Growing Pressure

Public reaction to Mchunu’s leave has been mixed. Some ANC insiders view it as a necessary step toward accountability, while critics see it as too little, too late another example of the ruling party’s reactive, rather than proactive, stance on corruption.

On social media, South Africans expressed skepticism. One user wrote on X (formerly Twitter):

“The ANC only acts when the heat turns up. If Mchunu was innocent, why step aside now?”

Others defended the decision, calling it a “mature and transparent move” that aligns with the ANC’s step-aside policy.

A Strategic PR Move?

Mchunu recently appointed Sithembiso Mshengu, a former ANC Youth League activist and communications strategist, as his personal spokesperson. Mshengu will handle all media inquiries related to Mchunu’s upcoming commission appearance.

Political analysts suggest the appointment signals that Mchunu is preparing for a full-scale defence and narrative management campaign, a move common among high-profile ANC figures under scrutiny.

“It’s clear that Mchunu wants to control his story,” said one Johannesburg-based political commentator. “Having Mshengu on his team shows he’s taking both the legal and public opinion battles seriously.”

Context: The ANC’s Credibility Challenge

The ANC’s handling of Mchunu’s case reflects a broader challenge within the party balancing loyalty to long-serving members with the public’s growing demand for ethical leadership.

Since the adoption of the step-aside rule in 2021, the ANC has faced internal divisions over how consistently it’s applied. Figures like Ace Magashule and Zandile Gumede were forced to step aside after facing formal charges, but Mchunu’s case where no indictment exists sits in a grey area.

By granting special leave rather than enforcing suspension, the ANC may be attempting to walk a fine line: appearing firm on integrity while avoiding internal factional fallout.

Mchunu is expected to appear before the Madlanga Commission later this month. His testimony could prove pivotal in determining the scope of political interference in policing, a subject that has haunted South Africa’s criminal justice system for years.

For now, the ANC is projecting calm, but with elections looming and corruption fatigue weighing heavily on voters, the Mchunu case could become another test of whether the party can truly reform from within.

{Source: IOL}

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