Pretoria Sangoma predicts Cabinet reshuffle for Mchunu, not suspension

The Star

5 days ago

A Pretoria-based sangoma claims President Cyril Ramaphosa will not suspend embattled Police Minister Senzo Mchunu but will instead implement a broader Cabinet reshuffle, which may include two other under-fire ministers.
Solly Mathebula, known as 'Mkhulu Mahlasela' from Mamelodi, said his bone-throwing reading shows that Ramaphosa will opt to reassign Mchunu to a different portfolio rather than suspending him following allegations of interference in police operations.
'The bones are saying that Ramaphosa will not suspend Mchunu,' he said.
Political parties have been calling on Ramaphosa to show Mchunu the door after the allegations.
'He will move him to another department to avoid interference with the investigations. This way, he keeps him active while ensuring the investigations continue.'
Ramaphosa is expected to address the nation at 7pm on Sunday.
Mkhulu Mahlasela's predictions come after Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi last week accused Mchunu of protecting criminal networks and interfering in police investigations.
He alleged that Mchunu disbanded the Political Killings Task Team in March, withdrawing 121 active dockets, many linked to political killings.
Mkhwanazi presented WhatsApp messages, SA Police Service (SAPS) documents, and cellphone records as evidence of a coordinated effort to dismantle the task team.
He also implicated Brown Mogotsi, a 'comrade' of Mchunu, in communicating with suspects, including business tycoon Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, who secured a R360 million police contract in 2024.
However, the controversial contract was later scrapped.
According to Mkhwanazi, Mogotsi informed Matlala that the unit was disbanded and that SAPS crime detection head Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya had assumed control of the dockets.
Financial links allegedly connect Mchunu, Mogotsi, and Matlala to political events and fundraisers.
'This was no accident,' Mkhwanazi said. 'It was a calculated move to shield a criminal syndicate embedded in law enforcement and politics.'
Since its formation in 2018, the task team handled 612 cases and secured more than 100 convictions. Mkhwanazi said efforts to disband it escalated after experts linked weapons to high-profile assassinations.
In a December 2024 letter to Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Fannie Masemola, Mchunu claimed the unit had 'outlived its usefulness.'
However, Masemola later denied authorising its closure.
Mkhulu Mahlasela, who has been reading the bones for more than 15 years, said Mchunu is not the only Cabinet minister likely to be moved.
He predicted that Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane will also be reassigned following backlash over the controversial appointments to SETA boards.
This comes after the appointment of politically connected individuals to SETA boards, including the son of Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe, Buyambo and former KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dr Dube-Ncube, were appointed during the now-reversed process.
'Nkabane will be reshuffled,' said Mkhulu Mahlasela.
'Ramaphosa won't fire her either, but will just assign someone else temporarily while investigations continue.'
Social Development Minister Sisi Tolashe, responsible for the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), may also face consequences due to issues related to delayed social grant payments.
'The bones say Ramaphosa will act on SASSA issues. There's fraud happening inside the department involving tenders and constant social grants payments delays," said Mkhulu Mahlasela.
SASSA, however, previously denied claims that grants have been suspended.
In a July 7 statement, the agency said the delays were due to a mandatory national review process targeting beneficiaries with potential undeclared income.
'There has been no suspension of social grants,' SASSA said. 'Grants are delayed only until recipients complete the required reviews.'
SASSA CEO Themba Matlou added that the process ensures grants are not issued to the deceased or those no longer eligible.
Mkhulu Mahlasela further warned that Mkhwanazi 'needs to be protected' following his explosive allegations.
He says the bones say that Ramaphosa may elevate Mkhwanazi to a higher position within SAPS to silence him.
'Ramaphosa is very intelligent… If he does not renew Mkhwanazi's contract, it will raise red flags,' he said.
'He will promote him to a much higher position, not to reward him, but to silence him.'
Mkhulu Mahlasela also accused Sibiya of interfering with police investigations and withholding crucial information.
'Sibiya is hiding a lot… His name appears in many of these allegations,' he said.
Meanwhile, the nation awaits Ramaphosa's response following mounting calls for accountability.
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