The suspended Minister of Police, Mr. Senzo Mchunu, intends to write to the ANC about his decision to withdraw from party activities and continue with his organizational activities.
Mchunu has appeared before the temporary committee of the Parliament and the Madlanga Commission, he answered for his decision to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) and to answer the allegations of corruption, especially in relation to the relationship with tenderers and interfering with the work of the police.
This is after the KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, accused Mchunu of ordering the disbandment of the PKTT on December 31, 2024, without consulting the national police leadership, which he said he did because he was protecting some. Mkhwanazi also raised allegations that Mchunu has ties to gangs and the controversial businessman, Mr. Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala.
The fact that Mchunu decided to write to the Secretary General of the ANC, Mr. Fikile Mbalula, was confirmed by his spokesman, Mr. Sithembiso Mshengu, who said that this follows the analysis of his appearance at the Parliamentary Committee and the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
Mshengu said Mchunu might write to the ANC Secretary General, Mbalula, asking for permission to continue his political work.
Although the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ANC rejected his request to withdraw from the party’s work, Mchunu insisted that he is willing to take a break from his work in the NEC and the National Working Committee (NWC) to face these allegations clearly.
However, the ANC has confirmed that he has been summoned before the party’s Integrity Commission – Mshengu has confirmed that Mchunu has appeared before it twice. This followed him being given an unsolicited leave from his job as Police Minister.
Mshengu said that as he has concluded his presentations before the Parliamentary committee and the Madlanga Commission, Mchunu believes that he is ready to continue his work in the ANC.
“It was his plan by choice to stop his participation in ANC organizations through a letter he wrote to the Secretary General of the ANC. Now he is in a position where he believes he is ready to continue his work without being pressured by the preparation of evidence statements. And that is the basis for him to want to return to ANC activities,” said Mshengu, adding that Mchunu has never been charged.
Mshengu also said the same during Mchunu’s prayer in Durban, on Saturday.
About 32 congregations from different regions in KZN, attended the service to support Mchunu who was on special leave since July last year.
Political analyst, Mr. Ntsikelelo Breakfast speaking to IOL, said this will be difficult for Mchunu and the Congress as there is a cloud over Mchunu.
He said Mchunu’s comments when he appeared at the Parliamentary committee will make it difficult for him to return to speak at ANC rallies.
“It will be very difficult because there are many things that Mkhwanazi has said, including the relationship (with businessman Matlala) and allegations of collaboration with gangs, and how he decided to disband PKTT. Some (of these allegations) have been supported by evidence,” said Breakfast, who pointed out that there are many witnesses who confirmed that they received money from Matlala as Mkhwanazi said.
Another political analyst, Mr. Sandile Swana speaking to IOL, said this clearly shows that Mchunu does not want to put his political future in the hands of others.
He said this also shows that Mchunu does not want to go outside the ANC structures including the NEC because he may lose the opportunity to save his political future.
“He is not doing this because he sincerely believes that he is innocent but he knows that having a powerful position within the ANC is part of the weapon to defend against any legal proceedings and cases,” said Swana, adding that Mchunu is not really looking out for the good of the nation or the ANC but this is a step to use the ANC to protect himself.