Allegations of Criminal Connections Surround South Africa's Police Minister

The accusations made by KwaZulu-Natal's police chief against Minister Senzo Mchunu include receiving financial backing from an allegedly corrupt businessman. Mchunu has denied the claims, while President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized their significance for national security.

 

South Africa's Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has recently been embroiled in controversy following allegations linking him to criminal gangs, all while he is accused of influencing police probes into politically motivated murders. These serious claims were brought to light by Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the police chief of KwaZulu-Natal, during a press briefing on Sunday.

Mkhwanazi asserted that Mchunu had been receiving financial contributions from a businessman alleged to have corrupt ties, claiming this support was intended to aid Mchunu in advancing his political aspirations. The police minister responded by labeling these assertions as "wild allegations." In a show of government concern, President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that these allegations pose significant threats to national security and are under rigorous scrutiny.

General Mkhwanazi brought attention to a series of events he argues precipitated the planned disbandment of a specialized task force established in 2018 to investigate a series of murders targeting politicians primarily in KwaZulu-Natal. He asserted that this task force had made strides in discovering links between high-ranking individuals—including politicians and law enforcement officials—and organized crime, specifically drug syndicates. Despite this progress, Mchunu had dissolved the unit earlier this year, deeming it ineffective in addressing ongoing issues in the region, even as numerous cases remained unresolved.

Mkhwanazi revealed that, under Mchunu's directive, a total of 121 case files had been removed from the unit without authorization from the national police commissioner, General Fannie Masemola. He alleges that these files have stagnated at the police head office since March, with some already predicted to lead to arrests.

Moreover, the provincial police chief accused Mchunu of maintaining connections with a controversial businessman named Vusimuzi Matlala, who was purportedly providing financial backing for Mchunu's political career. Matlala's contract with the police was terminated after his arrest on attempted murder charges in May, raising further scrutiny. Mkhwanazi presented text message exchanges and alleged payment proof from Matlala to substantiate his claims.

In response to these serious allegations, General Masemola announced that he would address the situation later this week, coinciding with the introduction of the new temporary head of crime intelligence. This position follows the recent arrest of Criminal Intelligence chief Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo, who, along with several others, has been implicated in investigations surrounding the misuse of intelligence budgets and improper appointments within the South African Police Service (SAPS).