Public Protector says probe into Senzo Mchunu at advanced stage amid calls to explain delays

The Office of the Public Protector is finalising its investigation into suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, Public Protector Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka has told the public broadcaster, while the African Transformation Movement (ATM) presses Parliament for an explanation of delays.

Investigation described as “at an advanced stage”

In an interview on Wednesday evening, Gcaleka said the probe was “at an advanced stage” and that her office was “working around the clock” to complete it.

“First and foremost, the Public Protector does not file an interim report. The Public Protector either tables intended adverse findings or intended findings that are not adverse in terms of Section 79 or Rule 41, which gives the other side an opportunity to make representations.

“In this instance, the investigation is at an advanced stage,”

Reasons given for delays

Gcaleka attributed delays to the unavailability of key witnesses, saying some were engaged with other inquiries. She cited multiple investigative forums that have required many of the same witnesses.

“You would appreciate that there are several investigative committees. There’s the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee, there’s the Madlanga Commission, and it is almost the same witnesses who, on these platforms, are required to provide evidence.

“So we actually started late because the key witnesses were engaged elsewhere,”

When pressed about why witnesses who had testified elsewhere could not immediately appear before her office, Gcaleka declined to discuss specific details and said examples offered by the interviewer were not necessarily suited to the case. She reiterated that statements were needed from certain individuals given the complaint’s origin in a public interview or media briefing.

ATM asks Parliament to summon Public Protector

In a letter to Parliament, ATM parliamentary leader Vuyo Zungula said the complaint was lodged with the Office of the Public Protector on July 7, 2025, following allegations by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Zungula said the lack of a final outcome nearly a year later required an explanation and noted the passage of approximately 359 days without a final outcome.

“We find it difficult to reconcile the passage of approximately 359 days without a final outcome with the expectation that matters involving alleged breaches of the Executive Ethics Code should be investigated and concluded expeditiously,”

The ATM has requested that Parliament summon Gcaleka under Section 56 of the Constitution to explain the status of the investigation, reasons for the delay and the expected timeline for completion. The party asked Parliament to prioritise the matter when it resumes for the third term.

Allegations and administrative steps taken

The complaint lodged by the ATM followed allegations by Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi that Senzo Mchunu engaged in political interference in criminal investigations, abused executive authority, maintained improper relationships with individuals linked to organised crime, and played a role in the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team.

Mchunu is currently on special leave. The President placed Mchunu on special leave on 13 July and appointed Firoz Cachalia as acting police minister.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has said he cannot dismiss Mchunu solely on the basis of allegations without a proper investigation and verified evidence. He has also denied Mchunu’s claim that he approved the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team.

What happens next

Gcaleka said her office was putting significant effort into concluding the probe and that it would proceed through the Public Protector’s established processes, which provide affected parties an opportunity to respond to intended findings.