Will Ramaphosa suspend Mchunu to safeguard ANC support in KZN?
Image: Jacques Naude / Independent Newspapers
President Cyril Ramaphosa may opt to suspend Police Minister Senzo Mchunu rather than firing him, following allegations by KZN police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, due to Mchunu's role in securing ANC support in the province, a political analyst said.
According to political analyst Goodenough Mashego, Ramaphosa is likely to tread the matter cautiously due to Mchunu's political influence in the province.
Mkhwanazi recently accused Mchunu of interfering in high-profile criminal investigations to protect individuals with links to crime syndicates and senior police officials.
Among the allegations, Mkhwanazi said Mchunu ordered the disbandment of the political task team investigating political killings and organised crime in the province.
He claimed Mchunu issued a directive in December 2024 to National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Fannie Masemola to shut down the task team, allegedly under pressure from Mchunu's associates, including businessman Vuzimusi 'Cat' Matlala, who has been arrested for attempted murder, and Brown Mogotsi.
Mkhwanazi stated that Matlala was awarded a R360 million police contract in 2024, and further investigations indicated that he was financially supporting Mchunu's political activities, along with Mogotsi.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
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.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad Loading
He also said there was a deliberate effort to stall investigations into the murders of prominent entertainment figures, alleging that senior police officials tied to drug cartels were protecting criminal networks.
Speaking to IOL News, Mashego said the allegations are serious enough to warrant a full commission of inquiry, not just an investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), which he described as 'toothless.'
'These are serious allegations coming from a professional police officer, not tainted by past political interference,' he said.
'They warrant a commission to determine who is undermining the police, especially around organised crime. You can't run a police force without intelligence.'
Mashego criticised the lack of leadership in police intelligence services, pointing to long-standing gaps since former Minister Bheki Cele's tenure.
'Why has South Africa gone this long without a functioning intelligence division? These are fundamental questions a commission must explore,' he said.
Mashego said Ramaphosa faces a complex political balancing act.
'In a normal democracy, a minister facing such allegations would step aside,' he said.
'But because Mchunu played a key role in securing votes for the ANC in KZN, Ramaphosa may avoid firing him to prevent alienating that support base.'
Mashego suggested Ramaphosa could use the situation to reshuffle the Cabinet, bringing in a professional with policing experience - even from outside the ANC.
'This is the time to look beyond party lines. There's a Government of National Unity now. Ramaphosa could appoint someone from another party with real policing expertise,' Mashego said.
He warned, however, that most experienced police professionals may not be aligned with the ANC, and finding a suitable replacement from within the party could prove difficult.
Mashego went on to say that Ramaphosa's credibility is at stake, particularly after failing to act decisively in past high-profile cases involving other ministers, such as Higher Education Minister Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane, Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane, and Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
'There's been a lot of talk and not enough action. If Ramaphosa can reshuffle and fire DA's Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield, why not Mchunu, who faces much more serious allegations?' he asked.
Mashego argued that suspension alone, while politically convenient - is often ineffective.
'Suspensions are not deterrents. Politicians continue drawing salaries, and cases drag on for years. A full reshuffle, framed as a broader Cabinet refresh, would be more meaningful,' he said.
He argued that Ramaphosa could shift Mchunu to another role and appoint someone such as International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola to head the police portfolio.
'If he fires Mchunu outright, there's a risk he could defect to the MK Party, which has been gaining traction in KZN. That's something the presidency is surely weighing,' he said.
He added that Ramaphosa must also consider gender representation in Cabinet, particularly if removing female ministers like Ntshavheni or Simelane.
'This is where it gets tricky… juggling political loyalty, electoral strategy, gender equity, and public accountability,' Mashego said.
Responding to the allegations, Ramaphosa has called them a 'serious national security concern' and urged restraint and discipline.
However, Mashego said that is not enough at all.
'He's trying to strike a balance between protecting the ANC's interests and upholding the rule of law. But it's time to act,' Mashego said.
Meanwhile, security strategist and retired Interpol ambassador Andy Mashaile told IOL News that Ramaphosa's remarks describing the matter as a 'serious national security concern' was a step in the right direction.
'He's taking responsibility by acknowledging that infighting within law enforcement agencies opens up the SAPS to criticism and undermines efforts in crime prevention and combating,' Mashaile said.
'This becomes a national security concern because crime is likely to increase. When you look at crime statistics over the next few months, this may impact information sharing and intelligence gathering.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Political leaders raise questions over who knew about allegations against Senzo Mchunu
There has been mixed reaction to the question of whether President Cyril Ramaphosa might have been aware for some time of the allegations of political interference against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, made public on Sunday by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu of obstructing critical investigations by dismantling the Political Killings Task Team. Mkhwanazi made explosive claims during a press briefing claiming that Mchunu ordered the unilateral disbandment of the team and transferred 121 politically sensitive dockets to Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Shadrack Sibiya's office, where they have since been allegedly "neutralised". 'These actions constitute political interference of the highest order and are a direct threat to the rule of law…This kind of conduct undermines the entire South African Criminal Justice System,' Mkhwanazi said during the explosive briefing. Mkhwanazi highlighted communications between Mchunu and a businessman as a crucial piece of evidence. Despite Mchunu's parliamentary denial of knowing the businessman, Mkhwanazi asserts that a widely circulated social media phone recording contradicts this claim. This recording is considered one of the most damning pieces of evidence. Both Mchunu and Sibiya have denied the allegations. His allegations also implicate senior police officials in corruption and political interference which have since set-off calls for Ramaphosa to immediately investigate and get accountability at the highest levels of government. A party official from the GNU, who requested anonymity, said the Phala Phala saga was coming back to haunt Ramaphosa, because it was left unsolved. "It's really dangerous for us right now to assume that President Ramaphosa knew of this. But the person (Mchunu) who is accused here is the same person who was defending him during the Phala Phala scandal. So we can't take it away from anyone who would say Ramaphosa is involved in a cover-up," the official said. Another senior politician from the EFF said Ramaphosa was surrounding himself with allies that could succeed him to protect him from being prosecuted on the Phala Phala matter as soon as he leaves office in 2029. "If he (Ramaphosa) is not succeeded by someone who is in his corner then it could be his political enemy who would want him to be prosecuted, so he has to be involved in protecting his political ally (Mchunu)," the EFF source said. uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela claimed Ramaphosa knew of the accusations towards Mchunu and was planning to cover it up. "What is happening in this country pertaining to national security has gone far beyond a 'grave concern'. If Ramaphosa can cover up Phala Phala, would it not be surprising if he was involved in covering up Mchunu's alleged shenanigans?" Ndhlela asked. He said Ramaphosa had a tendency of covering-up high profile matters. 'We have written many times regarding political killings in KZN and Ramaphosa has since done nothing to curb that situation and now it has come to light that there is also a cover-up there,' he said. However, Build One SA (BOSA) leader Mmusi Maimane warned against jumping to conclusions before an investigation is launched. "I'm wary of us taking the way of the president having been involved in this new matter because this might limit his ability to act if we take it that way and we would then have to leave it to the Deputy President Paul Mashatile to make pronouncements," Maimane said. "I say we wait for the Special Investigation Unit's proclamation and give it 30 days for us to be able to move forward. However, Maimane added that if there were any truth that there are people who knew about the allegations Mkhwanazi brought forward, they should be put on special leave or suspended, regardless of who it was. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya did not respond to questions on whether Ramaphosa knew about the allegations. However on Sunday after Mkhwanazi's bombshell, the presidency noted the statements made by Mkhwanazi and said it is a matter of grave national security concern that is receiving the highest priority attention. President Ramaphosa will outline the actions to be taken on this matter on his return from the BRICS Leaders' Summit. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said the party took these allegations in a serious light. "These allegations touch on the very integrity of the criminal justice system and the constitutional obligation of the state to protect South Africans. "We call upon president Cyril Ramaphosa to act with the urgency and seriousness this matter demands. The ANC reaffirms its commitment to give full protection to whistle-blowers, investigators and officers of the law," Mbalula said. Allegations made by Mkhwanazi have brought the work of the Political Killings Task Team into focus. This unit was established in 2018 in response to a surge in political assassinations within KZN. Its formation followed a directive from an Inter-Ministerial Committee, initiated after Ramaphosa's visit to the family of ANC activist Musawenkosi Qashana Mchunu, who was fatally shot in Plessislaer. Since its inception, the task team has investigated 612 cases, leading to 436 arrests and the recovery of 156 firearms. Of these, 55 firearms have been ballistically linked to politically motivated killings. Mkhwanazi also disclosed that 35 police officers were arrested for attempting to obstruct these investigations. [email protected]
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
'I will die for this badge': Who is Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi?
Hope Ntanzi | Published 9 hours ago KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's vow to defend the SAPS badge, even with his life, has sparked national debate, making him a fearless symbol of resistance against political interference in policing. Image: DOCTOR NGCOBO/INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS Step on the wrong side of the law, and he will deal with you. KwaZulu-Natal's Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, is no stranger to headlines, dropping bombs left, right and centre. Mkhwanazi has long been regarded as a no-nonsense law enforcer with an unflinching stance on corruption. His latest public outburst has taken his profile to new heights. Once known mainly within policing circles, his name and face have now captured the public imagination, with many South Africans using his image as their display picture and hailing him as a fearless symbol of integrity. This comes after an explosive press briefing where he declared he was 'combat ready' to defend the integrity of the badge, even if it cost him his life. According to the SAPS, Mkhwanazi joined the South African Police Service as a student constable in 1993. He rose through the ranks to Lieutenant General in 2011. ''Before being appointed acting provincial commissioner for KwaZulu-Natal, Mkhwanazi occupied several positions within the Service, including head of the Special Task Force (STF), Divisional Commissioner of Human Resource Development, and acting National Commissioner of Police.'' He holds a B-Tech degree in Policing as well as a National Diploma in Police Administration. His words, directed at Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, ignited a national conversation about political interference in law enforcement, sparking intense debate. 'I am combat ready. I will die for this badge. I will not back down,' Mkhwanazi told the media during a press conference in Durban on Sunday. This statement has since gone viral and turned him into a symbol of bravery and resistance for many on social media. At the centre of the storm is a deepening rift between Mkhwanazi and Mchunu, following the controversial disbandment of the KZN political killings task team, a unit that had been investigating high-profile assassinations in the province. Mkhwanazi, who was clad in the brown uniform of the STF and heavily armed with security, claims the task team was disbanded without his consultation and hinted at political interference from individuals close to Mchunu. 'Someone whispered to the minister to remove the team,he didn't consult me or the National Commissioner,' said Mkhwanazi. The fallout is the latest chapter in what observers now describe as a 'dangerous power play' within South Africa's law enforcement hierarchy. Mkhwanazi, who has been wearing his police boots for over 30 years and once held a top position of the acting National Commissioner, has earned a reputation for internal discipline and for publicly confronting institutional rot. His previous decision to suspend crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli in 2012 for alleged misconduct showcased his willingness to challenge powerful figures. In March this year, Mchunu lodged a formal complaint with the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), accusing Mkhwanazi of interfering in the arrest of a correctional services official with alleged links to a drug cartel. However, Mkhwanazi dismissed the probe as a smear campaign designed to undermine his efforts to tackle politically connected crime networks. 'Every time I touch someone powerful, there is a backlash. This is not the first time they've tried to silence me,' he said. The investigation sparked outrage from police unions and political parties alike. The uMkhonto weSizwe Party, the EFF, and several civic organisations rallied behind Mkhwanazi, with some demanding Mchunu's resignation and the reinstatement of the task team. Mchunu has maintained a cautious tone throughout, recently telling the media. 'The decision on the renewal of Lt Gen Mkhwanazi's contract lies with the National Commissioner, not me.' However, that hasn't stopped speculation that Mchunu and others in senior government circles are lobbying for Mkhwanazi's removal ahead of the end of his term. In a 2024 interview, Mkhwanazi made it clear he believes provincial police commissioners should have more authority to act independently, especially in politically volatile regions like KZN. 'We are not politicians. We are law enforcement. If crime has a political connection, that doesn't mean we stop doing our jobs,' he told the newspaper, Mail & Guardian. Public sentiment is sharply divided. While some civil society leaders have called for calm and institutional accountability, others have rallied behind him as a symbol of resistance against political interference in the SAPS. Forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan, however, criticised Mkhwanazi's approach. 'I want that man to fall, and the sooner, the better,' citing what he called dangerous grandstanding and factional loyalties.' Mchunu has however denied allegations of political interference made by Mkhwanazi, calling them 'wild' and 'baseless.' Responding to claims that he disbanded the political killings task team and interfered in SAPS operations, Mchunu said: 'I will never allow my integrity, that of the Ministry or SAPS, to be undermined by insinuations made without evidence.' He confirmed that the commissioner's remarks would be reviewed and that appropriate action would be considered: 'All these public statements require an urgent, transparent investigation on a proper platform.' Mchunu reaffirmed his commitment to the rule of law and tackling serious crimes, especially in high-crime provinces like KZN, Gauteng, Eastern Cape, and Western Cape. [email protected] Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel IOL Politics
Daily Maverick
4 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Tshwane city manager faces ANC push for removal, three years on
The ANC wants to remove highly regarded Tshwane city manager Johann Mettler, three years after his appointment. Gauteng MEC for Local Government Jacob Mamabolo has weighed in with a letter about Mettler's appointment, showing that threats by the city's governing coalition to get rid of Mettler are becoming more serious. The three issues now raised by the provincial leader – who has oversight powers over the metro – were not flagged at the time of the appointment. Mettler is regarded as one of South Africa's most qualified and technocratic city managers: he has an LLM from Lund University in Sweden, an LLB and BProc from the University of the Western Cape, and has worked in local government since 1995. He has served as an administrator brought in to stabilise dysfunctional municipalities and was city manager of the Drakenstein and Nelson Mandela Bay councils. 'Whatever legal pretext the ANC coalition devises, the point is that the party would prefer one of their own deployed cadres – not an independent professional – in the job of municipal manager,' said Cilliers Brink, the DA Tshwane caucus leader and former mayor. He said Mettler had come under attack in council several times. 'The most notable of these attacks happened when it became clear that the city would not drop the case against the Rooiwaal Five, city officials implicated in the irregular tender award to a consortium of ANC funder Edwin Sodi.' Sodi won the tender for repairs to the Rooiwaal Waste-Water Treatment Plant, which were botched and caused severe downstream water contamination, most notably affecting the Hammanskraal community. Brink has written to Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya of ActionSA about the growing attacks on the city manager. 'ActionSA's position is clear and consistent: we will not support the removal of any senior manager unless there is a clear, lawful and governance-based reason for doing so. [We] will not compromise the integrity of governance in Tshwane for the sake of political expediency. We remain committed to a principled, lawful and stable administration that serves the best interests of residents,' the party said. Mamabolo has now raised concerns – three years after the fact – about the interview panel for Mettler's appointment and his qualifications under the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). Brink, who was mayor at the time of Mettler's appointment, said the panel that made the appointment complied with regulations for senior managers. Mettler had also completed the MFMA qualifications he needed. '…The legal implications of asking council to reverse an appointment at this stage remain uncertain and require careful consideration,' ActionSA said. The ANC holds 75 of 214 seats in the Tshwane council and governs with support from the EFF (23) and ActionSA (19), along with smaller parties. The DA has 69 seats. The attempt to axe Mettler could destabilise governance in South Africa's capital.
