ANC notes Mkhwanazi's allegations with grave concern
KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi places one of the former liberation movement’s employees, Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu, in the heart of attempts to sabotage police investigations.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu (far right) is accompanied by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi to address the Soshanguve residents after the murder of at least six community patrollers. Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - Following jaw-dropping revelations by KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the African National Congress (ANC) said it has noted the allegations with grave concern.
Mkhwanazi places one of the former liberation movement’s employees, Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu, at the heart of attempts to sabotage police investigations.
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Mkhwanazi has since registered a criminal complaint against Mchunu, who he said has put his political aspirations above his ministerial duties.
The ANC has assured that President Cyril Ramaphosa is dealing with the matter.
With the scene already set for what is slowly shaping up to be a bruising battle to find a successor for Ramaphosa when his term of office as head of the ANC ends, the police have now seemingly entered the fray.
Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu of having an ulterior motive in his decision to disband the KZN political killings unit.
Mkhwanazi said at least 121 dockets have been taken away from the team since March. He also said there’s proof a recipient of South African Police Service (SAPS) tenders funds the minister and his associates.
Mchunu has been police minister for just a year.
The police minister’s name is also being bandied about in political circles as one of those with ambitions to become the next ANC president.
The ANC's Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the allegations are worrying.
“These matters go to the core of public confidence in the rule of law and the integrity of our institutions. The ANC is assured that President Cyril Ramaphosa is attending to this matter with the urgency and seriousness it deserves.”
She said the ANC reaffirms its commitment to the principles of accountability, justice, and protection of all South Africans.
MK PARTY AND EFF LAUD MKHWANAZI
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party and the EFF have lauded Mkhwanazi as they join calls for action to be taken against Mchunu and deputy national commissioner for crime detection Shadrack Sibiya.
Mkhwanazi implicated the pair in startling revelations on Sunday, labelling them as key allies of a powerful organised criminal syndicate.
The KZN police commissioner claimed Mchunu’s move to disband the KZN political killings task team was aimed at protecting criminals and sabotaging police investigations.
The MK Party and the EFF have come out strongly batting for Mkhwanazi.
The MK Party is also demanding that charges of defeating the ends of justice be laid against Mchunu and Sibiya.
Meanwhile, the EFF, in expressing grave concern over an alleged syndicate that’s infiltrated the entire justice system, said Mchunu must be fired.
“This level of coordination, resourcing, and political protection confirms the EFF’s long-held view that the ANC-led government has become a breeding ground for a mafia state, where political office is used not to serve the people, but to shield criminals and extract public wealth,” said EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo.
The minister said SAPS will apply its mind and respond to the allegations in due time.