LEADING THE CHARGE

THE DA, uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), and the EFF have all laid criminal complaints against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.

The under fire Mchunu is being accused of misleading Parliament and being linked to individuals allegedly involved in the capture of the South African Police Service (SAPS). 

The allegations that recently rocked the country were made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who claimed that Mchunu was working with businessmen Brown Mogotsi and Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

The DA opened a case at Cape Town Central police station on Thursday morning, accusing Mchunu of committing fraud by knowingly making a false statement to mislead Parliament.

During a previous parliamentary appearance in March, Mchunu stated that he did not know Mogotsi.

However, in a later public statement on 9 July, the minister said he knew Mogotsi as a comrade, contradicting his earlier denial.

Mchunu told Parliament he would not even recognise the man’s face, but later acknowledged the relationship.

According to DA Deputy Chief Whip MP Baxolile Nodada, who was flanked by fellow DA senior officials Dianne Kohler Barnard and Lisa Schickerling, Mchunu’s actions are a breach of the Powers and Privileges Act and the Parliamentary Code of Conduct.

The MK Party followed in the DA’s footsteps, opening a case against Mchunu and Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya at the Brooklyn police station on the same day, alleging that they are guilty of obstructing and defeating the course of justice, abuse of power, and criminal conspiracy.

According to party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela, Mchunu’s actions in disbanding the Political Killings Task Team in KwaZulu-Natal were unlawful and aimed at undermining lawful investigations.

A statement read: “We refuse to stand idle in the face of injustice and remain dedicated to upholding the course of the law.”

Sibiya is faced with additional charges of defeating the ends of justice and potential fraud or forgery, particularly if it is found that the disbandment letter in question was unauthorised or falsified, according to Ndhlela.

The EFF has also lodged a complaint with the Ethics Committee of Parliament against Mchunu, accusing him of interfering with the KwaZulu-Natal branch of the SAPS and violating the Constitution and the Executive Members’ Ethics Act.

Meanwhile, the DA also took aim at President Cyril Ramaphosa accusing him of “remaining silent”.

Nodada added: “It’s the same thing he did nine days ago when Minister Nzimande lied to Parliament. He took no action.”

Ramaphosa, however, did break his silence later in the day, calling a televised “family meeting” on Sunday at 7pm, after meeting with key officials, said a statement from the Presidency.