Mchunu to testify before SAPS ad hoc committee

By Johnathan Paoli

Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is expected to testify before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee on the South African Police Service (SAPS) on Thursday.

The committee’s chairperson, Soviet Lekganyane, confirmed that Mchunu is scheduled to give evidence over two consecutive days, before returning the following Tuesday to respond to questions from Members of Parliament (MPs).

“We will be with him on the 16th of October, and he will conclude his evidence on Friday the 17th. He will then come back next week Tuesday for questions from members,” Lekganyane said.

Mchunu’s appearance comes amid mounting scrutiny over his conduct in office, following allegations that he interfered with high-profile police investigations and unlawfully ordered the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) in KwaZulu-Natal.

Lekganyane added that former Police Minister Bheki Cele is expected to follow Mchunu in the witness chair.

The inquiry stems from explosive testimony delivered by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who accused Mchunu of ordering the disbandment of the PKTT—a specialised unit tasked with investigating politically motivated killings in the province.

According to Mkhwanazi, Mchunu acted “without a proper briefing” and “misjudged the task team’s value,” effectively dismantling a key structure that had been instrumental in tackling politically linked murders.

Mkhwanazi further suggested that “outside influence” may have informed the minister’s decision, implying that political or business interests could have played a role in undermining the task team’s work.

Mchunu has strongly denied these allegations. His spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, dismissed Mkhwanazi’s claims as baseless and without evidence.

The allegations against Mchunu, which surfaced publicly during a 6 July press conference held by Mkhwanazi, have since escalated into one of the most significant accountability tests for the SAPS and the executive branch in years.

He is accused not only of political interference but also of maintaining links with corrupt businessmen and shielding individuals tied to organised crime.

These claims prompted President Cyril Ramaphosa to place Mchunu on special leave, pending the outcome of the parliamentary inquiry.

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