Mkhwanazi vs Mchunu: 5 things you need to know about their explosive feud
There has been a massive spat between the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, and KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
During a media briefing on Sunday, Mkhwanazi made explosive revelations, accusing senior police leadership, including Mchunu, of interfering in investigations into politically motivated killings.
There are concerns that the spat might affect policing and administration.
Here are 5 things you need to know about the saga:
Peace between a 'criminal and a police officer'
In a detailed briefing, Mkhwanazi exposed the removal of 121 case dockets from his political killings task team by Deputy National Commissioner General Shadrack Sibiya, allegedly under the instruction of Mchunu.
Some of these dockets had already led to arrest orders, but no action was taken, with the files now sitting untouched in Pretoria.
Mkhwanazi also linked the targeting of his task team to its involvement in exposing a powerful Gauteng-based organised crime syndicate.
He alleged the syndicate includes serving MPs, police officers, correctional officials, prosecutors, and even members of the judiciary—all allegedly controlled by drug cartels and business elites.
He further revealed digital evidence suggesting collusion and attempted interference.
Rejecting calls for reconciliation with Sibiya, Mkhwanazi stated, 'There can never be peace between a criminal and a police officer.'
NOW READ: KZN's Mkhwanazi makes damning claims about Mchunu, senior police officials
Mchunu reacts
Minister Mchunu dismissed the allegations, calling them baseless and lacking evidence.
Mchunu said he will not allow his integrity or that of the police ministry to be undermined by unsubstantiated claims.
'We will be reviewing the Provincial Commissioner's statements and consider appropriate action,' he said.
Ramaphosa speaks up
President Cyril Ramaphosa later expressed serious concern over the public statements made by Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi.
He called the matter one of 'grave national security concern.'
Ramaphosa emphasised the need to uphold the integrity of the country's security services. He further warned that the ongoing exchange of accusations could erode public trust and disrupt the cohesion of the police.
'All parties to this matter are called upon to exercise discipline and restraint. The trading of accusations and counter-accusations threatens to undermine public confidence and sow confusion. Furthermore, these actions damage the unity and focus of the police,' the Presidency said.
Ramaphosa will announce steps to be taken once he returns from the Brics Leaders' Summit in Brazil.
NOW READ: 'We don't want him to be a pop star': Allegations by KZN police commissioner Mkhwanazi sparks uproar
MK party calls for minister to be arrested
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has demanded that Mkhwanazi lay criminal charges against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and General Sibiya within 24 hours, accusing them of defeating the ends of justice.
The party urged National Commissioner Fannie Masemola and Mkhwanazi to act swiftly, warning that failure to do so would signal political interference and institutional protection.
NOW READ: MK party wants Mchunu arrested amid explosive allegations
Will policing be affected?
Following Ramaphosa's earlier warning, police on Monday confirmed that normal day-to-day policing operations across the country are continuing without disruption.
National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola assured the public that police stations and service points remain fully operational, with officers continuing their mandate to prevent and combat crime, maintain public order, and protect all inhabitants of the country.
NOW READ: Mchunu vs Mkhwanazi: Police operations continue amid explosive allegations
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The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
Mr President, the ball is in your court
It will be interesting to see how President Cyril Ramaphosa handles this scandal when he returns from the Brics summit in Brazil. The damning allegations against Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu being linked with crime syndicates and interfering in high-profile cases are very disturbing. These include political killings, suspected ghost staff being employed in the South African Police Service (Saps) crime intelligence division after seven senior officials were arrested on corruption charges recently and cops linked to gender-based violence and femicide. Sadly, this just another day in South Africa… As explosive as the allegations are, made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi on Sunday, there's little surprise. Yes, with corruption being rife in Saps, trust in them is low and there is very little confidence in our law enforcement authorities anyway. So will heads roll? It will be interesting to see how President Cyril Ramaphosa handles this scandal when he returns from the Brics summit in Brazil. ALSO READ: 'ANC is on the side of the truth': Party calls for urgent action on police interference allegations Will he appoint yet another committee or panel to look into these allegations? Will he suspend those fingered? Or will he just take time to apply his mind once more, even though he has said this is a matter of 'grave national security concern', and we need to 'uphold the integrity of the country's security services as the ongoing exchange of accusations could erode public trust and disrupt the cohesion of the police'. No kidding. Police portfolio committee chair Ian Cameron hit the nail on the head when he said: 'South Africans deserve clear answers. Silence is not an option.' He added: 'The allegations, if correct, have far-reaching implications on the effectiveness of Saps and require immediate attention. The committee has long highlighted concerns over the rot within the police which impacts its ability to investigate crime.' Mr President, the ball is in your court. If local law enforcement doesn't make you feel safe, who will? NOW READ: Mkhwanazi knows the risk of speaking out, says police committee chair
The Herald
2 hours ago
- The Herald
Ramaphosa must act on police scandal: parliamentary portfolio committee chair Ian Cameron
Cameron welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa's pledge to address the issue but urged urgent action on his return from Brazil. 'Accountability is necessary and people deserve to know and feel that the SA Police Service is made of men and women who are ready to serve in the interest of the country and not for selfish reasons,' Cameron said. The committee is demanding urgent lifestyle and skills audits of senior police management and has called for a parliamentary debate on police integrity and its impact on crime-fighting efforts. It has written to the speaker to summon key figures to give account. 'Those dockets [that Mkhwanazi mentioned] or the process regarding them should be frozen until an independent inquiry can be done. I think it is a massive risk to just leave them in the system after what we heard yesterday [Sunday]' Cameron said.
The Herald
2 hours ago
- The Herald
‘We want arrests, not statements' — ANCYL president slams SAPS amid explosive drug allegations
'His role as a commissioner of police is to arrest those who do crime. We don't want him to be a pop star. If he wants to contest politics, he must come to branches of the ANC and contest. But if he wants to be a commissioner, he must arrest those who do crime. We don't want statements, we want arrests.' Malatji also made it clear no one should be above the law, not even the police minister. 'If the minister of police is doing crime, he must be arrested. We are not a lawless country,' he said. While Malatji's comments sparked support from some, many social media users criticised them as hasty, given the serious and unproven nature of the allegations. Responding to the public reaction on X, Malatji doubled down. 'It's heartbreaking to learn through allegations that some leaders in our country are either working with drug lords, part of drug syndicates or protecting drug criminals,' he said. 'As someone who despises drugs, this is deeply painful. Drugs have ravaged our youth, creating unemployed and unemployable young people across South Africa. 'To hear certain leaders might be complicit in syndicates is infuriating and hurtful,' Malatji said. 'We must take a stand to clean this country and remove all drug dealers and their enablers in all corridors of power.' Mchunu and Sibiya said the allegations levelled against them by Mkhwanazi are without merit. President Cyril Ramaphosa described the situation as 'a matter of grave national security concern'. He pledged to outline a course of action on his return from the Brics leaders summit in Brazil. TimesLIVE
