By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The suspended minister of Police Senzo Mchunu is demanding that Kwazulu-Natal (KZN) Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt. General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi provide evidence to support his allegations against him.
Responding to questions when he returned to the Parliament Ad Hoc Committee on Wednesday, Mkhwanazi said the evidence gathered by the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) suggested that Mchunu was aware of the intentions of “rogue people” within the SAPS and that these individuals wanted the task team disbanded.
He also said Mchunu’s justification for his decision made them conclude that he was protecting people.
He also said it could be considered that Mchunu was defeating the ends of justice because his action affected investigations in KZN.
Pressed on whether there was concrete evidence against Mchunu, Mkhwanazi said the assessment of activities that happened after the directives were issued on December 31, 2024, made them reach this conclusion.
Mchunu released a statement on Friday, 20 March 2026, in which he raised concern about certain allegations made by Mkhwanazi at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry as well as at the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee.
In a statement, Mchunu said he rejected the allegations. “I would like to reiterate that I am not part of any criminal syndicate of any kind. I am part of those who are fighting against corruption in the country and my record in government speaks for itself.”
Mchunu said Mkhwanazi often changed his accusations, earlier calling him corrupt whereas he had previously blamed the minister for “negligence” and recently said he was an “enabler for criminality to thrive”.
Mchunu said Mkhwanazi acted as the “complainant” and investigator and was involved in prosecution based on the allegations he made. “He also makes judgmental comments saying that I am guilty of defeating the ends of justice.”
“All these statements are made without placing any evidence on record in support of such even where he has undertaken to do so. I state here that these allegations are untrue, unfounded and deliberately intended to tarnish my reputation, “Mchunu said.
Mchunu addressed the prisoner letter tip off Mkhwanazi presented at the ad hoc committee, which detailed conversations between an inmate and businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
“The letter alleges that a conference call was held between the former national director of public prosecutions advocate Shamila Batohi, Matlala’s lawyer, advocate Laurance Hodes, and me.
“The meeting is alleged to have discussed plans to coerce Matlala to sign an affidavit stating that he does not know me. He further added that my two lawyers subsequently went to Kgosi Mampuru prison to obtain the signature of Matlala on the affidavit, ” Mchunu said.
In his earlier evidence, Mkhwanazi said politicians might not necessarily be involved in the initial activities of corrupt members but they become captured and are used to the extent that when they become aware of these activities, they continued doing the wrong.