How the Phala Phala scandal complicates Ramaphosa's stance on Police Minister Mchunu
Image: Jairus Mmutle / GCIS
The University of Zululand-based political analyst, Professor Sipho Seepe, said that President Cyril Ramaphosa will find it difficult to act against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu because of the Phala Phala scandal.
Weighing in on the explosive revelations by KwaZulu-Natal provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who alleged that Mchunu is in the pocket of the Gauteng crime syndicates, Professor Seepe said the problem is that Ramaphosa is not a neutral bystander in crime fighting and cannot act without being reminded of his sins.
'The allegations made by General Mkhwanazi against the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, are very serious and are likely to exacerbate factional divisions within the ruling party since Ramaphosa does not enter this quagmire as a neutral bystander. The Phala Phala scandal is still hovering over his head. He cannot act without being reminded of his sins,' said Seepe.
He further stated that Mchunu's allegations also have the effect of undermining the fight against crime and corruption, and call into question Ramaphosa's renewal programme within the party.
'Given the extent of the allegations, it would be reasonable that nothing short of a judicial commission of inquiry would be required,' concluded Seepe
On Sunday, Mkhwanazi claimed that Mchunu allegedly abused his ministerial powers to shield a member of a crime syndicate in Gauteng who was arrested for three attempted murders. He further claimed Mchunu's real reason for disbanding the police's political killings unit was that it assisted in dismantling a drug cartel in Gauteng.
Mkhwanazi said last year, he received a request from Gauteng's police organised crime unit for assistance in arresting drug cartel suspects who the unit had discovered were working with top politicians in Parliament.
He stated that the unit arrested a businessman, and police discovered text messages between the minister and the suspect.
He further stated that the minister's associate also sent a message to the suspect informing him that he had arranged a meeting between the minister and the Deputy National Commissioner from Crime Prevention, Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, to find a solution.
Mchunu and Sibiya both dismissed the rumours as baseless.
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