By Johnathan Paoli
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has dismissed what he described as “baseless” and “wild” allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, amid an unprecedented internal crisis engulfing the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Mchunu, currently campaigning in Vryheid ahead of the 16 July by-elections, promised a full review of Mkhwanazi’s allegations and warned of possible action against him.
“The Minister of Police will never allow his integrity, that of the Ministry or the SAPS, to be undermined by insinuations made without evidence or due process, from anyone, including Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi. We will be reviewing the Provincial Commissioner’s statements and consider appropriate action,” Mchunu said on Sunday.
Mchunu’s statement follows an explosive press briefing held earlier in Durban by Mkhwanazi, in which the commissioner accused senior police officials, including Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya, of sabotaging the Political Killings Task Team.
Mkhwanazi alleged this was done on instruction from Minister Mchunu, citing deliberate political interference, criminal syndicate infiltration, and the illegal shelving of over 120 political murder dockets.
He reiterated his commitment to restoring law and order, especially in high-crime provinces like KZN, Gauteng, the Eastern Cape and Western Cape.
The accusations have sparked political and institutional chaos.
In response, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya described Mkhwanazi’s allegations as “lies” and accused him of “bringing SAPS into disrepute.”
“It’s unfortunate we have to engage in this circus. What he’s doing is disgraceful and coercive to the service. I’ve been in service for 37 years. I have no involvement in the closure of the task team and never met the minister to discuss such a decision,” Sibiya said.
Sibiya also denied any personal relationship with businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, accused by Mkhwanazi of receiving R360 million in SAPS contracts and having direct communication with Mchunu.
Wearing full SAPS tactical uniform and under tight security, Mkhwanazi outlined an extensive body of work completed by the Political Killings Task Team: 612 cases investigated, 436 suspects arrested, 128 convictions secured, and 156 firearms recovered, 55 of which were directly linked to political killings.
He accused Sibiya and Mchunu of dismantling the task team at a critical moment when it was closing in on a sophisticated criminal network involving politicians, prosecutors, SAPS members and business elites.
The commissioner also revealed that a separate SAPS unit uncovered WhatsApp messages in which Matlala received confidential SAPS documents from Brown Mogotsi, an alleged associate of Mchunu.
The scandal has sparked widespread political reaction.
African National Congress (ANC) Youth League President Collen Malatji condemned Mkhwanazi’s media conduct: “We don’t want a pop star; we want a police commissioner who arrests criminals. If he has evidence, he must act—not give press briefings.”
ANC National Executive Committee member Mdu Manana described the claims as “allegations” not warranting internal party discussions unless formal charges are laid.
“No one is above the law, but at this point, it remains just that—an allegation,” Manana said.
Meanwhile, Police Portfolio Committee Chairperson Ian Cameron praised Mkhwanazi’s bravery but called for formal investigations.
“He took a huge risk by speaking out. Whether we agree with his approach or not, something has to change,” Cameron said.
Cameron has written to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza, requesting an urgent parliamentary debate into the allegations.
“South Africans will never feel safe if the SAPS leadership is politically compromised. We need answers, now,” Cameron said in an official statement.
He called for an immediate response from President Cyril Ramaphosa, currently attending the BRICS Summit.
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