By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Fikile Mbalula says Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who is on special leave, will still perform his duties as a member of parliament and participate in the party’s activities.
Mbalula briefed the media on the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate allegations of corruption within the security cluster.
Mbalula said the ANC national working committee meeting, which took place on Monday, discussed the Mchunu matter.
“He didn’t attend and he said [it was] because of a leave of absence. I will explain to him that the leave of absence does not apply to the ANC and his politics, “Mbalula said.
He added that the party supported president Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to suspend Mchunu from his cabinet post while an investigation was under way. The president has appointed the acting deputy chief justice, Mbuyiseli Madlanga, to chair the inquiry, with advocates Sesi Baloyi and Sandile Khumalo assisting.
Ramaphosa has appointed former MP and respected legal academic Firoz Cachalia as acting police minister while the inquiry proceeds.
Earlier this month, General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi told a briefing in Durban last week that Mchunu had interfered with sensitive investigations and protected business person Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala. He also alleged that Mchunu had links with Matlala’s associate, Brown Mogotsi, and that these ties influenced policing decisions in the province.
Mbalula dismissed reports that the ANC’s integrity commission had made findings against Mchunu. “There has been no interaction between Comrade Senzo and the integrity commission. When it happens, it will follow proper procedure,” he said.
He warned against spreading misinformation online and accused some of using the matter for political gain.
Mbalula said Ramaphosa had shown consistency in upholding the law. “The fight against crime and corruption will not be waged through expediency or grandstanding, but through lawful and transparent processes.”
He cited the state capture commission and the Nugent commission on the South African Revenue Service as examples of how inquiries can lead to reform.
The ANC has since postponed its national executive committee (NEC) meeting, initially scheduled for this weekend, according to a resolution by the NWC.
Instead, senior ANC leaders will travel to the Western Cape — the province in which the party recorded one of its weakest electoral performances in the recent national polls — as part of a broader effort to regain political ground in opposition strongholds.
Meanwhile Polokwane high court has ordered that former ANC MP Boy Mamabolo’s Facebook account be deactivated and that he refrain from publishing defamatory statements against Polokwane’s mayor, John Mpe, and his family on any social media platforms.
In a judgment dated-stamped 15 July, acting judge Suné du Plessis also ordered that Mamabolo must not post or publish any photographs or videos of Mpe and his family members on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, Instagram or any other social media platform.
He further prohibited Mamabolo from “harassing, sending messages, or contacting the applicant to threaten and intimidate him in any manner, whether directly or indirectly”.
Du Plessis also ordered that the Facebook account under the name Boy Mamabolo Fans (Bua Kolobe) be permanently deactivated and/or deleted. Facebook South Africa (Pty) Ltd and/or any other person with regulatory control over the said Facebook account has been authorised to give effect to this order.