
Mkhwanazi vs Mchunu: 5 things you need to know about their explosive feud
There has been a massive spat between the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, and KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
During a media briefing on Sunday, Mkhwanazi made explosive revelations, accusing senior police leadership, including Mchunu, of interfering in investigations into politically motivated killings.
There are concerns that the spat might affect policing and administration.
Here are 5 things you need to know about the saga:
Peace between a 'criminal and a police officer'
In a detailed briefing, Mkhwanazi exposed the removal of 121 case dockets from his political killings task team by Deputy National Commissioner General Shadrack Sibiya, allegedly under the instruction of Mchunu.
Some of these dockets had already led to arrest orders, but no action was taken, with the files now sitting untouched in Pretoria.
Mkhwanazi also linked the targeting of his task team to its involvement in exposing a powerful Gauteng-based organised crime syndicate.
He alleged the syndicate includes serving MPs, police officers, correctional officials, prosecutors, and even members of the judiciary—all allegedly controlled by drug cartels and business elites.
He further revealed digital evidence suggesting collusion and attempted interference.
Rejecting calls for reconciliation with Sibiya, Mkhwanazi stated, 'There can never be peace between a criminal and a police officer.'
NOW READ: KZN's Mkhwanazi makes damning claims about Mchunu, senior police officials
Mchunu reacts
Minister Mchunu dismissed the allegations, calling them baseless and lacking evidence.
Mchunu said he will not allow his integrity or that of the police ministry to be undermined by unsubstantiated claims.
'We will be reviewing the Provincial Commissioner's statements and consider appropriate action,' he said.
Ramaphosa speaks up
President Cyril Ramaphosa later expressed serious concern over the public statements made by Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi.
He called the matter one of 'grave national security concern.'
Ramaphosa emphasised the need to uphold the integrity of the country's security services. He further warned that the ongoing exchange of accusations could erode public trust and disrupt the cohesion of the police.
'All parties to this matter are called upon to exercise discipline and restraint. The trading of accusations and counter-accusations threatens to undermine public confidence and sow confusion. Furthermore, these actions damage the unity and focus of the police,' the Presidency said.
Ramaphosa will announce steps to be taken once he returns from the Brics Leaders' Summit in Brazil.
NOW READ: 'We don't want him to be a pop star': Allegations by KZN police commissioner Mkhwanazi sparks uproar
MK party calls for minister to be arrested
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has demanded that Mkhwanazi lay criminal charges against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and General Sibiya within 24 hours, accusing them of defeating the ends of justice.
The party urged National Commissioner Fannie Masemola and Mkhwanazi to act swiftly, warning that failure to do so would signal political interference and institutional protection.
NOW READ: MK party wants Mchunu arrested amid explosive allegations
Will policing be affected?
Following Ramaphosa's earlier warning, police on Monday confirmed that normal day-to-day policing operations across the country are continuing without disruption.
National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola assured the public that police stations and service points remain fully operational, with officers continuing their mandate to prevent and combat crime, maintain public order, and protect all inhabitants of the country.
NOW READ: Mchunu vs Mkhwanazi: Police operations continue amid explosive allegations

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eNCA
26 minutes ago
- eNCA
Ramaphosa vows to attend to Mkhwanazi's allegations
JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa has once again addressed the allegations by the Kwazulu-Natal Commissioner. He says he will address them once he returns to the country from the Brics Summit. 'This is not a matter we should not give attention to. It is a serious matter it has to do with the security of our people but also has to do with our adherence to the rule of law,' he said. In the mist of the SAPS turmoil the president has called for calm and cool heads. Meanwhile most political parties are calling for Mchunu's head. They are also threatening to write to the National Assembly Speaker to call for an urgent debate on Mkhwanazi's bombshell.


Mail & Guardian
39 minutes ago
- Mail & Guardian
Mbalula confident Mchunu would respond to Mkhwanazi's allegation
ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula. (X) ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula said he was confident Police Minister 'I'm fully confident that he will engage with the leadership of the ANC on the disparaging allegations that have been made. He owes it to the ANC; he doesn't have to be commanded,' Mbalula said at a media briefing on Monday. He spoke a day after Mkhwanazi said at a media Mkhwanazi said on Sunday that Mchunu had ordered the closure of the team formed in 2018 to investigate politically motivated murders in On Monday, Mbalula said Mchunu would brief ANC officials 'as a deployee' of the party. 'But at the end of the day, where action must be taken is in government, it's not in the ANC. And the ANC would like to see action,' Mbalula said. On Sunday, Mchunu accused Mkhwanazi of making 'wild allegations' that required 'an urgent, thorough and transparent investigation, on a proper platform'. 'The minister of police will never allow his integrity, that of the ministry or the SAPS [South African Police Service] at large, to be undermined by insinuations made without evidence or due processes, from anyone, including Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi,' the police minister said. 'We will be reviewing the provincial commissioner's statements and consider appropriate action.' Mbalula said the issues raised by Mkhwanazi must be attended to, and the facts established. He said the party would not defend Mchunu or any of its members implicated in wrongdoing. 'This thing that we are complicit in as a party to the protection of wrongdoing, maybe it happened in the past. At the present moment we're carrying out our renewal project,' Mbalula said. 'We have said that even if you are members of the ANC and you are arrested, you are on the wrong side of the law, you are accused of corruption, you step aside. We are without our former secretary general [Ace Magashule] in the party because we had to put him on a step aside.' The ANC's step-aside rule stipulates that members charged with criminal offences must relinquish their positions until they are cleared of the charges. Mbalula said some South Africans had already decided that Mchunu was guilty, but he still had to tell his side of the story. He added that the country's fight against crime had taken a turn for the better since Mchunu became police minister last year. 'We have been praising the minister and Mkhwanazi [for their performances in their jobs], then, boom, there is a problem between the minister and generals. None of us would say we know.' Mbalula said the issues Mkhwanazi had raised required serious attention and President Cyril Ramaphosa had committed to getting to the bottom of the allegations


The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
Top 10 stories of the day: Mkhwanazi vs Mchunu
Here's your daily news update for Monday, 7 July 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. In the news today, The Citizen explores five things you need to know about the explosive feud between Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu and KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Meanwhile, one of the men who killed former ANCYL secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa has been sentenced to 25 years for murder. Furthermore, tickets for global hip-hop heavyweight Travis Scott's record-breaking Circus Maximus tour to FNB Stadium are still available. Weather tomorrow: 8 July 2025 Tuesday brings cold, foggy mornings and some drizzle across several provinces. Fine weather is expected in parts of the Northern Cape and Western Cape. Full weather forecast here. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. Mkhwanazi vs Mchunu: 5 things you need to know about their explosive feud There has been a massive spat between the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, and KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. During a media briefing on Sunday, Mkhwanazi made explosive revelations, accusing senior police leadership, including Mchunu, of interfering in investigations into politically motivated killings. KZN police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. Pictures: Gallo Images There are concerns that the spat might affect policing and administration. In a detailed briefing, Mkhwanazi exposed the removal of 121 case dockets from his political killings task team by Deputy National Commissioner General Shadrack Sibiya, allegedly under the instruction of Mchunu. CONTINUE READING: Mkhwanazi vs Mchunu: 5 things you need to know about their explosive feud Magaqa's killer sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for murder One of the men who killed former ANCYL secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa has been sentenced to 25 years for murder. Sibusiso Ncengwa admitted that he was part of a group of men who were paid R120 000 to kill Magaqa in 2017. Magaqa was shot in July 2017 and succumbed to his injuries after spending time in the hospital. Picture: Supplied His lawyers had pleaded for leniency. They argued that he had apologised to the Magaqa family and had shown remorse for his deeds. Ncengwa is also serving time in prison for other crimes unrelated to Magaqa's murder. These include armed robberies. CONTINUE READING: Magaqa's killer sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for murder Must get! Travis Scott tickets for FNB Stadium still up for grabs Global hip-hop heavyweight Travis Scott is bringing his record-breaking Circus Maximus tour to FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday, 11 October 2025. And the best part? Tickets are still available. Travis Scott performs during Young Thug's set at the 2025 Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash at SeatGeek Stadium on June 22, 2025 in Bridgeview, Illinois. Picture:The concert is being billed as more than just a music show; it's set to be a high-energy, immersive experience that fans won't forget. The Sicko Mode hitmaker's current tour has been declared the highest-grossing solo rap tour of all time, with sold-out arenas across Europe, North America and the Middle East. CONTINUE READING: Must get! Travis Scott tickets for FNB Stadium still up for grabs Saps investigates TikTok allegations against officer accused of drinking on duty The South African Police Service (Saps) has launched an urgent investigation into a viral TikTok video that shows a uniformed police officer being accused of being under the influence of alcohol while on duty. According to North West police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone, the footage, which has been widely circulated, depicts a group confronting the officer and making serious accusations about his state while on official duty. Picture: Gallo Images/Frennie Shivambu Mokgwabone noted that the provincial commissioner condemned the alleged behaviour, saying such conduct will not be tolerated within the ranks of the Saps. CONTINUE READING: Saps investigates TikTok allegations against officer accused of drinking on duty 22 arrested after illegal workers and weapons found in Roodepoort factory raid Home Affairs Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza on Monday revealed that law enforcement discovered weapons and ammunition during a raid on a Roodepoort factory allegedly employing illegal immigrants. The factory, owned by a Chinese national, was raided during an operation that led to 22 arrests. Picture: Home Affairs/ X The discovery of weapons has escalated the matter beyond immigration violations. CONTINUE READING: 22 arrested after illegal workers and weapons found in Roodepoort factory raid Here are five more stories of the day: Yesterday's News recap READ HERE: Top 10 stories of the day: Mkhwanazi drags Mchunu | Dirco on terrorism in SA | Steenhuisen's 'insubordination'