DURBAN, South Africa – Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has strongly refuted what he described as “baseless” and “wild” allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi during a media briefing this morning, Sunday. The accusations centre on the disbandment of a specialist unit investigating political assassinations.
Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi accused Mr Mchunu of ordering the dissolution of the Political Killings Task Team after it uncovered links to what he called a criminal syndicate. The syndicate, Mkhwanazi said, had in its operations top-brass members of the police, politicians serving in Parliament, judges, prosecutors, and businessmen in Gauteng.
The task team, established in 2018, has investigated 612 cases and arrested 436 suspects. It recovered 156 firearms, with 55 linked to political crimes. Courts have handed down 29 life sentences and a combined 1,881 years in prison to those convicted.
During Sunday’s briefing at KwaZulu-Natal police headquarters, Lt Gen Mkhwanazi presented what he said was evidence of interference. This included WhatsApp messages allegedly showing communication between the minister and individuals linked to criminal activities.
Mkhwanazi said on 30 December 2024, the Ballistic Expert issued a ballistic report which linked these firearms with a number of high-profile cases (including high-profile South African Artists) which occurred in Gauteng dating as far back as 2021.
The police chief claimed businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, who holds a R360m (£15m) police contract, received a message on 1 January 2025 stating: “The task team that came to your house and harassed you have been dissolved.”
Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya denied involvement in disbanding the unit. Responding to claims made by Mkhwanazi, Sibiya expressed his disappointment and shock at the serious allegations in an interview with the SABC. “None of the allegations he mentioned is true,” he said.
Mr Mchunu was campaigning in Vryheid for upcoming by-elections when the allegations emerged. “The Minister has been engaging a number of community groupings, including Izinduna, community organisations and commercial farmers, discussing measures aimed at tackling the rampant crime affecting them, inclusive of stock theft.”
His spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi said the minister would not allow his integrity to be undermined. “All these statements made by [Mkhwanazi] in public require an urgent, thorough and transparent investigation, on a proper platform.”
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and ActionSA have called for the immediate suspension of the Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu following KZN police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s startling allegations.
ActionSA said the claims raised “grave concerns about the integrity and functionality of the country’s law enforcement leadership, and more critically the troubling national security threat this poses”.
The governing African National Congress said it would not discuss the matter unless formal charges were laid. Party official Mdu Manana said Lt Gen Mkhwanazi’s statements “remain to be tested”.
South Africa has struggled with political violence, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal province. The specialised task team was created following a wave of assassinations targeting local government officials and political activists.
Mchunu reiterated his commitment to reducing crime, particularly in high-crime provinces like KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Eastern Cape, and Western Cape.
The minister said his office would review the commissioner’s statements and consider “appropriate action”.
