Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is under mounting pressure to step aside as South Africans across the political spectrum demand accountability in the face of serious criminal and corruption allegations. Calls for his suspension are growing louder after KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu of interfering in investigations and being linked — through associates — to criminal syndicates.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) and the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party have both filed criminal complaints against Mchunu, alleging fraud, perjury, and obstruction of police work. At the heart of the controversy is a R360 million SAPS contract allegedly tied to murder-accused businessman Vusumuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala, as well as WhatsApp messages linking Mchunu’s associate, Brown Mogotsi, to the disbandment of the KZN Political Killings Task Team.
Opposition parties including the UDM and IFP, alongside civil society groups, insist that Mchunu’s continued presence in office could undermine the integrity of ongoing investigations. They argue that stepping aside — even temporarily — is essential to upholding the principle of justice and restoring public confidence in the South African Police Service.
President Cyril Ramaphosa now faces a critical test of leadership, caught between political loyalty and growing public outrage. With parliamentary committees preparing to investigate the matter and more revelations expected to surface, many are calling this a pivotal moment in the country’s fight against political interference and systemic corruption.
The spotlight is firmly on Mchunu — and on whether the state will act decisively in the interest of transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.
