By Simon Nare
The ANC’s National Working Committee (NWC) has recommended that suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu be granted his request for special leave from all party activities, including participation in the National Executive Committee (NEC).
Addressing a media briefing on Tuesday, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said Mchunu had asked for special leave while both a parliamentary ad hoc committee and the Madlanga Commission continue probing explosive allegations by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi linking him to crime kingpins.
Mbalula noted that although Mchunu has not been criminally charged, something which would have triggered an automatic step-aside, he had voluntarily opted to do so.
He added that, according to ANC Guidelines and Procedures adopted by a special NEC meeting on April 25, 2022, any member, office bearer, or public representative formally charged must immediately step aside.
“Cde Mchunu has not been indicted to appear in a court of law on a charge of corruption on other serious crime. Accordingly, the specific provisions of paragraph 3.1.1 do not apply to him,” said Mbalula.
“However, this does not mean that he or any other member who is alleged to be involved in corrupt activities cannot voluntarily step aside or take special leave. We welcome Comrade Senzo Mchunu’s emphasis that he understands that people are feeling the trauma of crime and corruption in the country.”
Mchunu has been under fire since July 2025, when Mkhwanazi publicly alleged links between the suspended minister and crime syndicates, and accused him of unilaterally disbanding the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).
At both the Madlanga Commission and the parliamentary ad hoc committee, Mchunu has also been allegedly linked to Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala and Brown Mogotsi — a businessman and ANC member he had previously claimed not to know during parliamentary questioning.
A witness identified as “Witness C” told the Madlanga Commission that Matlala had boasted of being in constant contact with Mchunu and had allegedly contributed R500,000 to his presidential campaign, including paying for flights and accommodation for the ANC’s January 8 celebrations.
Although Mchunu has not been charged, on November 7, 2025, he voluntarily handed over his electronic devices to police.
His spokesperson, Sthembiso Mshengu, confirmed that a search-and-seizure warrant had been executed and that the PKTT had informed Mchunu of their intentions before arriving at his residence.
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