President Cyril Ramaphosa may lean towards suspending Police Minister Senzo Mchunu rather than dismissing him, as allegations of political interference in criminal investigations continue to spark concern. According to political analyst Goodenough Mashego, the President faces a delicate balancing act, with Mchunu’s political significance in KwaZulu-Natal making the situation increasingly complex.
Recent claims made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, have ignited controversy around the Minister. Mkhwanazi has accused Mchunu of obstructing key investigations involving organised crime, political killings, and alleged links between senior police officials and criminal syndicates.
Among the more serious claims, Mkhwanazi alleges that Mchunu ordered the dissolution of the political task team in the province, which was dedicated to investigating political violence and organised criminal activity.
BREAKING NEWS: General Mkhwanazi has laid criminal charges against the Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu. pic.twitter.com/JWGAjbqBCS
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The directive, according to Mkhwanazi, was issued in December 2024 to National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Fannie Masemola. He asserts that the decision came after pressure from individuals within Mchunu’s circle, including businessman Vuzimusi “Cat” Matlala, who is facing charges of attempted murder, and Brown Mogotsi.
Mkhwanazi further contends that Matlala benefited from a lucrative R360 million police tender in 2024 and is believed to have financed Mchunu’s political activities along with Mogotsi.
The Commissioner did not stop there. He went on to allege that deliberate efforts have been made to stall investigations into the murders of high-profile entertainment figures, claiming that senior police figures with ties to drug trafficking networks are shielding organised crime groups.
The allegations have brought renewed scrutiny to South Africa’s embattled police leadership and intelligence services, already under fire for years of instability and perceived political interference.
Mashego, in conversation with IOL News, stressed that the gravity of these claims requires more than a routine investigation by oversight bodies.
“These are serious allegations coming from a professional police officer, not tainted by past political interference,”
he said.
Mashego is calling for a full commission of inquiry to get to the bottom of the allegations, arguing that an independent body like the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) lacks the authority and impact needed to address such deep-rooted issues.
“They warrant a commission to determine who is undermining the police, especially around organised crime. You cannot run a police force without intelligence,”
Mashego added.
The analyst also pointed to long-standing concerns over gaps in police intelligence capabilities, issues that have plagued the South African Police Service (SAPS) since the days of former Police Minister Bheki Cele.
“Why has South Africa gone this long without a functioning intelligence division? These are fundamental questions a commission must explore,”
he said.
Yet, Mashego believes Ramaphosa is unlikely to make any hasty moves against Mchunu, given the Minister’s role in bolstering African National Congress (ANC) support in KwaZulu-Natal—a key province for the party’s electoral prospects.
“In a normal democracy, a minister facing such allegations would step aside,”
Mashego remarked.
“But because Mchunu played a key role in securing votes for the ANC in KZN, Ramaphosa may avoid firing him to prevent alienating that support base,”
he explained.
♦️ICYMI♦️
CIC @Julius_S_Malema calling for the protection of Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi
As South Africans We Must Unite Behind Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi Against Corrupt Politicians!
Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu Is Accused of Being In The Pockets Of… pic.twitter.com/CmeyYpvqR2
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The ongoing scandal may present an opportunity for Ramaphosa to recalibrate his Cabinet, possibly bringing in experts from beyond the ANC ranks.
“This is the time to look beyond party lines. There is a Government of National Unity now. Ramaphosa could appoint someone from another party with real policing expertise,”
Mashego suggested.
However, the feasibility of such a move remains uncertain, as most experienced security professionals may not align politically with the ANC, making internal replacements challenging.
Mashego also highlighted the broader implications for Ramaphosa’s credibility, noting previous instances where the President has been criticised for hesitancy in dealing with underperforming or controversial ministers, such as Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane, and Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
“There has been a lot of talk and not enough action. If Ramaphosa can reshuffle and fire DA’s Deputy Minister Andrew Whitfield, why not Mchunu, who faces much more serious allegations?”
Mashego questioned.
He warned that merely suspending Mchunu, although politically expedient, would not resolve underlying concerns.
“Suspensions are not deterrents. Politicians continue drawing salaries, and cases drag on for years. A full reshuffle, framed as a broader Cabinet refresh, would be more meaningful,”
he argued.
Mashego proposed that should Ramaphosa decide to move Mchunu out of his current portfolio, appointing someone like International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola to the police ministry could stabilise the department.
Yet, outright dismissal of Mchunu could carry political risks, Mashego cautioned, particularly in light of the growing influence of the MK Party in KwaZulu-Natal.
“If he fires Mchunu outright, there is a risk he could defect to the MK Party, which has been gaining traction in KZN. That is something the presidency is surely weighing,”
he said.
Ramaphosa also faces the challenge of maintaining gender balance within his Cabinet, especially if ministers such as Ntshavheni or Simelane are removed as part of broader leadership changes.
“This is where it gets tricky… juggling political loyalty, electoral strategy, gender equity, and public accountability,”
Mashego observed.
Responding publicly to the controversy, Ramaphosa acknowledged the seriousness of the matter, describing it as a pressing security issue.
“Serious national security concern,”
he remarked, urging both restraint and discipline.
But Mashego believes the time for rhetoric has passed.
“He is trying to strike a balance between protecting the ANC’s interests and upholding the rule of law. But it is time to act,”
Mashego concluded.
Meanwhile, security expert and retired Interpol ambassador Andy Mashaile offered a more measured assessment, viewing Ramaphosa’s acknowledgment of the crisis as a positive, albeit initial, step.
“He is taking responsibility by acknowledging that infighting within law enforcement agencies opens up the SAPS to criticism and undermines efforts in crime prevention and combating,”
Mashaile told Independent Media.
He warned of the broader consequences that disunity within the SAPS could have on national security.
“This becomes a national security concern because crime is likely to increase. When you look at crime statistics over the next few months, this may impact information sharing and intelligence gathering,”
he said.
Mashaile emphasised the urgency for Ramaphosa to intervene decisively, underlining the critical nature of the police department in South Africa’s governance structure.
“The President must get involved… SAPS is a critical department,”
Mashaile said.
He added, however, that any steps the President takes would likely follow thorough consultation and careful deliberation.
“In this situation, Ramaphosa has no choice but to act,”
Mashaile asserted.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Ramaphosa opts for calculated political manoeuvring or decisive action as calls for accountability and reform grow louder within South Africa’s troubled law enforcement structures.
