By Johnathan Paoli
The Madlanga Commission on Monday resumed its hearings for the year with Acting KwaZulu-Natal Deputy Provincial Police Commissioner Major General Anthony Gopaul testifying to repeated and “inappropriate” interventions by suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu in criminal investigations.
“It is not normal. It is not in concurrence with our protocol for me to interact with a minister, without the specific direction of my principal,” Gopaul said, in response to questions from evidence leader, Advocate Ofentse Motlhasedi.
ALSO READ: How the Concourt customary marriage ruling could affect DJ Black Coffee and Enhle Mbali
The interaction with the then minister, said Gopaul, related to the murder of Mandeni Local Municipality ANC ward councillor, Phendukani Mabhida, who was shot dead by gunmen at his KwaSithebe Township home, in February last year.
Gopaul told the commission that on 5 February, he received an unexpected call from Mchunu, who wanted to know why the Provincial Killings Task Team (PKTT) was investigating Mabhida’s murder, when the local police station should have been doing so.
At the time, Gopaul was the district commissioner, with Mandeni SAPS reporting to him and the Nyoni policing precinct, where Mabhida was killed, falling under his jurisdiction.
ALSO READ: WATCH LIVE: Julius Malema Pre-sentencing hearing at East London Magistrate’s Court
Gopaul said he believed the minister’s interest stemmed from the fact that Mabhida was an ANC councillor, noting that Mchunu later attended the funeral.
He testified that he was puzzled by the contact and immediately informed KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, about the interaction.
According to Gopaul, Mkhwanazi asked why the minister had contacted him directly, whether they knew each other personally, and how the minister had obtained his contact details.
Gopaul said he told Mkhwanazi that he did not recognise Mchunu’s voice initially, and did not have the minister’s number saved at the time.
Despite this, he confirmed that on 7 February, he provided Mchunu with an update on the murder investigation during a phone call.
ALSO READ: WATCH: South Africa to host World Economic Forum Spring Summit in 2027, Lamola confirms
Gopaul said that at that stage, he did not fully understand why the minister was so interested in the case, only later learning that Mabhida was an ANC member and ward councillor for Ward 18 in the municipality.
He further testified that on 15 February Mchunu again attempted to contact him, seeking progress updates.
Gopaul said the investigating officer refused to brief the minister directly, insisting that protocol required any updates to be channelled through the provincial commissioner; and confirmed that he relayed this to Mchunu.
ALSO READ: Ramaphosa awaits report as ANC probes alleged ballot paper discovery
Based on his training and experience, he said, such engagement should occur between the minister and the provincial commissioner, not a deputy or district-level officer.
Speaking to the persistence of the contact, Gopaul testified that Mchunu called him three times via WhatsApp while he was presiding over a senior management interview panel.
Gopaul also testified about complaints laid by Mchunu against MK Party councillor, Doeshiee Govender, a former ANC councillor.
Gopaul said that during a by-election campaign late last year, Mchunu arrived at a police station and complained that SAPS was failing to act against Govender and members of his family for alleged criminal activity.
He told the commission that a lead investigator again refused to provide direct feedback to the minister, insisting that he follow proper channels by contacting the provincial commissioner.
Gopaul said Mchunu issued clear instructions that all political killing cases should be investigated at local police stations rather than by the PKTT.
Despite Mchunu’s public assertion that “all murders are equal”, Gopaul told the commission that the Mabhida case was the only murder investigation that Mchunu had ever personally contacted him about.
The commission continues.
INSIDE POLITICS