Senzo Mchunu Probe Will Take Longer to Finalise, Confirms Public Protector

The Public Protector South Africa (PPSA) has confirmed it is investigating serious allegations made against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, but warned the probe will take longer than 30 days to conclude due to the complexity of the complaints.

This follows explosive accusations by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who publicly alleged on Sunday that Mchunu colluded with criminal networks and interfered with high-level police operations, including the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team.

What’s Mchunu Being Investigated For?

The complaint, submitted by the African Transformation Movement (ATM), outlines four key allegations against Mchunu:

1. Corruption and collusion with controversial figures Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and Oupa “Brown” Mogotsi

2. Irregular disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team, which was probing links between police, drug syndicates, and elements of the judiciary

3. Interference in SAPS operations and undue delays in investigations

4. Conflict of interest in the awarding of a R360 million SAPS health services contract to Matlala

Mchunu has vehemently denied all the allegations.

Who Is Matlala?

Matlala, who is at the centre of the corruption claims, was awarded the multimillion-rand SAPS contract before it was later terminated. He was recently arrested for attempted murder and is expected to appear in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court today.

Commissioner Mkhwanazi has accused Matlala and Mogotsi of being involved in persuading Mchunu to shut down the Political Killings Task Team, which had been investigating politically motivated murders and corruption within SAPS since its creation by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2018.

Since its inception, the task team has dealt with:

• 333 dockets

• 171 murders

• 50 attempted murders

• 79 intimidation cases

• A total cost of R415 million

The task team is now being restructured into SAPS’ Murder and Robbery Unit under Mchunu’s directive.

Public Protector Responds

In a letter to the ATM, the Public Protector confirmed it had formally launched an investigation under the Executive Members’ Ethics Act (EMEA), citing:

“The Public Protector must investigate any alleged breach of the code of ethics… on receipt of a complaint.”

However, the PPSA clarified that due to the number and complexity of the issues, the investigation will not be finalised within the usual 30-day window.

“We commit, in the circumstances, to make every effort to expedite the finalisation of the investigation and will accordingly continue to keep you apprised of the progress thereof.”

What’s Next?

This investigation places Mchunu under growing political pressure ahead of President Ramaphosa’s highly anticipated address on Sunday.

While no findings have been made yet, the probe is expected to shine a spotlight on alleged political interference, corruption in SAPS, and weakened efforts to combat political violence, issues that have haunted South Africa’s justice system for over a decade.

Stay tuned for updates as the Public Protector’s office progresses with its investigation.