Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to Face Parliament Over Alleged Political Interference

Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is set to appear before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee this week, amid explosive allegations that he meddled in police operations at the highest level. The hearings, scheduled for October 16 and 17, form part of a broader investigation into claims of political interference in the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The allegations first came to light during a July press briefing by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who accused Mchunu, Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, and Mchunu’s associate Brown Mogotsi of undermining police independence and obstructing justice.

The Allegations: Disbanding Task Teams and Shelved Case Dockets

At the heart of the claims is the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team, a unit formed in 2018 to investigate politically motivated murders in KwaZulu-Natal. Mkhwanazi alleged that 121 case dockets, including five with arrest instructions, were abruptly removed and shelved in Pretoria without the knowledge of the provincial or national police leadership.

“The war we are facing deals with high-level senior officers,” Mkhwanazi warned, highlighting that the task team had uncovered links between national crime syndicates, sitting politicians, senior police officers, and prosecutors, possibly explaining why the investigations were halted.

Mkhwanazi further accused Mchunu of misleading Parliament about his relationship with Mogotsi, who allegedly had unauthorized access to classified police documents and is linked to Vusumuzi “Cat” Matlala, a controversial police service provider involved in a R360 million tender dispute.

Mchunu’s Shifting Story

Mchunu, who has been placed on special leave, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. Initially, he told Parliament he did not know Mogotsi, only later admitting he knew him “just as a comrade” but downplaying any association. The suspension comes as investigations continue into whether Mchunu had connections to alleged corruption networks involving Matlala and Mogotsi.

Parliamentary Hearings in Full Swing

The Ad Hoc Committee has already heard testimony from Mkhwanazi, Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia, National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola, and others. Mchunu will now face direct questioning by MPs on October 21, with additional dates set aside for further engagement.

Following him, former Police Minister Bheki Cele, Deputy Ministers Cassel Mathale and Polly Boshielo, and NDPP Shamila Batohi are scheduled to testify, stretching the hearings into mid-November.

Committee manager Dr Thulisile Ganyaza-Twalo confirmed that 325 public submissions had been received, and the committee was granted a new deadline of 28 November 2025 to conclude its work.

Public and Political Reaction

The unfolding saga has sparked intense debate on social media, with citizens questioning political influence over law enforcement. Many expressed concern over the delay in addressing politically sensitive investigations, while some called for swift action to restore public trust in SAPS.

Observers note that the hearings will not only scrutinize Mchunu’s conduct but could set a precedent for accountability within government institutions, particularly concerning high-level interference in criminal investigations.

As South Africa watches closely, the next two weeks promise to be pivotal in a case that could reshape the relationship between politics and policing in the country.