Senzo Mchunu to 'apply his mind in good time' to Mkhwanazi's allegations
'The minister of police remains committed to upholding the rule of law, ensuring accountability within the SAPS, and serving the people of SA with integrity.
'Most importantly, the minister remains committed to the task at hand, and that is to reduce the high murder rate, reduce high availability of illegal firearms, tackle drug trafficking and syndicates and GBV+F throughout the country, with a specific focus on the four provinces with high levels of crime, namely KZN, Gauteng, the Eastern Cape and Western Cape'
In a short recorded video shared by Mchunu's office during his campaign trail, he said: 'We've become aware of what Gen Mkhwanazi said, what he's been saying. I didn't have time to watch TV but those statements that he has made — we will in good time apply our minds to those kind of statements.'
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President Cyril Ramaphosa has been urged to act against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu over allegations linking him to the criminal underworld. . Image: GCIS President Cyril Ramaphosa is unlikely to take immediate action against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and is expected to engage with those directly implicated after a series of allegations were made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mkhwanazi made explosive claims during a press briefing on Sunday, saying that Mchunu ordered the unilateral disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team in KZN and transferred 121 politically sensitive dockets to Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Shadrack Sibiya's office, where they have since been allegedly "neutralised". Mkhwanazi also accused Mchunu of political interference and obstructing critical investigations by dismantling the task team. Both men have denied the allegations. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ They said Ramaphosa needs to go through a consultation process before making any decisions. "The president still needs to meet with some of the people involved in this, speak to his party the ANC on the way forward and also speak to the arms of parliament," said a source. The consultation process is expected to be lengthy and Ramaphosa's decision regarding Mchunu's future may not be made soon, a source said. While these consultations are ongoing, Ramaphosa also needs to prepare for the State funeral of former deputy president David Mabuza, which will take place on Saturday. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is at the center of serious allegations involving the collapse of KZN's elite political killings task team. Image: File Meanwhile, tensions are high in KwaZulu-Natal, where Mkhwanazi's allegations have sparked fears of retaliation and unrest. Warnings have been issued that escalating tensions could lead to violence akin to the July 2021 riots. Those events resulted in over 350 fatalities and an estimated R50 billion in damages to the local economy. In the wake of Mkhwanazi's press conference, social media campaigns and reposts under the hastags #HandsOffMkhwanazi; #WeStandWithMkhwanazi and JulyRiots2.0 have raised concerns that digital agitation may lead to social unrest. KZN Premier Thami Ntuli has publicly expressed support for Mkhwanazi, urging Ramaphosa to act without delay. Ntuli's spokesperson, Bongani Gina, stated, "The premier does not believe the matter will escalate into violence, but contingency plans are in place to avoid a repeat of the July 2021 unrest." National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola, addressed the issue during a private firearm destruction operation in Vanderbijlpark, south of Johannesburg, on Wednesday, saying the damning allegations made by Mkhwanazi have eroded public trust. "Let me unequivocally say the current state of affairs is unprecedented and it is concerning - it requires uncompromised intervention to restore public trust and stability in the organisation." Masemola said he cannot say much about the veracity of the allegations until he has briefed Ramaphosa. Political analyst Professor Nstikelelo Breakfast believes Ramaphosa should put Mchunu on special leave to show that he is taking the matter seriously. "If I were President Cyril Ramaphosa, I would put Mchunu on special leave. He would not be firing him or anything like that, but he would be seen as doing something about the matter," said Breakfast. 'I can't confirm at the moment the validity of Mkhwanazi's accusation against Mchunu…..What I can confirm is that it is the fault of the South African Police…this is a big thing and the president must be seen to be doing something." Breakfast did not rule out Mchunu using the Phala Phala report 'that is under lock and key', against Ramaphosa if he acts against him. 'But I doubt the two subjects Mkhwanazi and Mchunu have enough power to start violence like the July unrest…They don't carry that much power, like Zuma does,' Breakfast said. Another political analyst, Sandile Swana, said Ramaphosa has a long process to go through before making a decision. Political parties are calling for action against the SAPS top brass following KZN provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's explosive allegations. Image: X "The president has to be briefed by his staff on a number of key areas," said Swana. He suggested that the allegations by Mkhwanazi fall under the Special Investigating Unit's mandate, advocating for a direct SIU investigation over a judicial inquiry. Swana also said there was potential for mismanagement within the police and called for the Public Service Commission, Auditor General or Treasury to investigate tender irregularities and internal controls.
