Opposition parties file criminal complaints against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu
Image: Henk Kruger / Independent Newspapers
The DA, uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), and the EFF have all laid criminal complaints against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, accusing him 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.
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However, in a later public statement on July 9, 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.
'Mchunu told Parliament he did not know Mr Brown Mogotsi, who is linked to a criminal syndicate and the capture of the South African Police Service,' said Nodada. 'On 9 July, he said Mogotsi was his comrade. That's a direct contradiction and a deliberate lie to Parliament, which breaks Section 27 and the Powers and Privileges Act.'
Nodada said the DA expected President Cyril Ramaphosa to act but accused him of remaining silent. 'It's the same thing he did nine days ago when Minister Nzimande lied to Parliament. He took no action,' said Nodada.
'If the President refuses to act against ministers who protect corruption and are linked to criminal syndicates, the DA will continue to take action.'
DA Shadow Minister for State Security Kohler Barnard said there is precedent for criminal charges over misleading Parliament.
'In 2013, then-minister Dina Pule was held accountable. Tony Yengeni lied to Parliament and served time in prison. Lying to Parliament is a criminal offence.'
Kohler Barnard added that the party would also use the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence and other relevant parliamentary platforms to push for full investigations into the allegations, including links to criminal syndicates within the SAPS.
She confirmed that seven Crime Intelligence members have recently been arrested and more arrests may follow.
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 the 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.
'We refuse to stand idle in the face of injustice and remain dedicated to upholding the course of the law,' said Ndhlela in a statement.
'Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has been similarly charged with obstruction of justice and tampering with evidence through the unlawful redirection of case dockets. His charges also include breaching sections 6, 8 and 11 of the South African Police Service Act 68 of 1995, dereliction of duty and participating in criminal conspiracy alongside Minister Mchunu.'
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.
EFF MP Nontando Nolutshungu said Mchunu's actions were a clear breach of the law and parliamentary ethics.
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