Former Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is facing scrutiny over his role in the disbandment of a task team investigating political killings. During testimony before parliament’s ad hoc committee on police corruption, Mchunu distanced himself from the controversial removal of 121 case dockets, claiming his directive to disband the unit made no mention of how the dockets should be handled.
This statement directly contradicts earlier evidence from Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection, Shadrack Sibiya, who stated he removed the dockets because he “could not disobey an order from the minister.” Mchunu maintains that his December 2024 letter instructing the disbandment contained “no word, no word at all, about dockets.” He insists his decision was purely administrative and not an attempt to shield criminal networks.
The parliamentary inquiry, running alongside a commission led by retired judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga, is investigating corruption and criminality within the justice system. These inquiries were initiated following explosive allegations by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who claimed political figures and top officers colluded with criminal syndicates to obstruct investigations into politically motivated murders.
Mkhwanazi testified before the Madlanga commission that the Gauteng-based “Big Five” cartel influenced the disbandment of the task team, which was investigating numerous politically linked assassinations in the province. He reiterated these claims in parliament, accusing Mchunu and senior officers of halting sensitive investigations and protecting suspects from prosecution.
Sibiya, who carried out Mchunu’s directive to dissolve the unit, has consistently denied Mkhwanazi’s version of events, creating a complex web of accusations and counter-accusations. The conflicting testimonies highlight the deep divisions and allegations of corruption plaguing the South African police service, raising serious questions about the integrity of investigations into politically sensitive cases.
Key Questions Remain
- Why was the task team disbanded in the first place?
- Who is telling the truth about the handling of the case dockets?
- What measures are being taken to ensure the integrity of future investigations?
The investigation continues...
The parliamentary committee and the Madlanga commission are expected to continue their investigations, seeking to uncover the truth behind these conflicting accounts and address the underlying issues of corruption and political interference within the police force. The outcome of these investigations could have significant implications for the future of law enforcement in South Africa.