By Johnathan Paoli
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi delivered a bombshell testimony on Wednesday at the Madlanga Commission, directly claiming former Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has connections with organised crime syndicates.
Giving testimony on day one of the commission at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria, Mkhwanazi warned that evidence already exists linking Mchunu to criminal networks and promised that his team would provide further proof.
“To some degree, as I refer to in my statement, they are associates of the [Police] Minister. And the very same associate does show communication that seems to suggest that the Minister is involved in the decision-making these syndicates are making. The evidence is there that will support my conclusion on this. We have no reason not to believe that it is the real evidence that proves the linkages between the syndicates and the Minister himself,” Mkhwanazi said.
Under questioning from evidence leader Advocate Mahlape Sello (SC), Mkhwanazi outlined how he came into possession of an official letter, dated 31 December 2024, in which Mchunu made his controversial decision to disband the SAPS Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) in KZN.
The letter was addressed to National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola. Mkhwanazi said he received the letter via a “private individual” rather than official channels.
He criticised the legal and operational basis of Mchunu’s decision, telling the commission that while the minister is empowered to set policing policy, he cannot exercise direct operational control.
He dismissed Mchunu’s claim that the task team was underperforming, pointing to its high detection and conviction rates.
Mkhwanazi said that Mchunu may have been influenced by external interests.
Despite repeated attempts to engage with the minister through intermediaries and WhatsApp, a formal discussion never took place, he said.
Mkhwanazi alleged that Mchunu may have been misled into disbanding the unit to protect vested interests, including organised crime syndicates allegedly involving senior police officers and politicians.
He also referenced messages between businessmen Oupa “Brown” Mogotsi and Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, which allegedly pointed to attempts to obstruct the PKTT’s investigations.
Mkhwanazi said that he and colleagues who were set to testify before the commission would provide evidence proving the allegations he has made against the Minister.
INSIDE POLITICS