Latest news with #ParliamentaryCodeofConduct
The Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
ATM demands investigation and removal of Minister Gayton McKenzie over racist remarks
Thabo Makwakwa | Updated 7 hours ago The African Transformation Movement (ATM) formally lodged a complaint against Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie, alleging racist remarks aimed at black South Africans and calling for an urgent investigation and his removal. The complaint, submitted to the Presidency, Parliament, and the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interests, centers on tweets the ATM said contain 'racist slurs' directed at the black community. McKenzie is embroiled in controversy regarding old social media posts dating back to 2011, shared on X (formerly Twitter) during his time as a businessman. The posts re vealed the use of highly offensive racial slur towards blacks. In one of his posts, he criticised the term 'Black Diamond' while using a racially charged term that many in South Africa consider reprehensible. ATM parliamentary leader Vuyo Zungula drafted the letter on Saturday. It frames the matter as a constitutional and ethical crisis rather than a political spat. Zungula asserted that the tweets 'contain racially derogatory slurs directed at black South Africans, language that is both indefensible and deeply corrosive to the principles upon which our democracy is built.' He argued that the issue 'is not a matter of political rivalry or petty offence. It is a matter of ethics, constitutional duty, and the moral fabric of the Republic.' In the letter, Zungula further reminded readers of the country's struggle with racial oppression and the purpose of national reconciliation efforts. '(The) tweets employ language steeped in historical racism, t he same kind of degrading rhetoric used to strip black people of their humanity during apartheid and colonial eras. ' Zungula also criticised McKenzie for what the letter describes as hypocrisy in response to remarks by younger podcasters, stating that ministers carry heavier responsibilities than private individuals. Among the key passages cited by the ATM are calls for accountability and transparency. 'Public trust is the currency of governance. When a Minister openly or historically expresses racial prejudice, without acknowledgment, remorse, or corrective action, that trust is irreparably damaged.' The letter added that an 'unrepentant Minister cannot credibly lead a department tasked with building cultural bridges and fostering unity.' The complaint asks Parliament's ethics bodies to determine whether the remarks breach the Constitution, the Executive Members' Ethics Act, and the Parliamentary Code of Conduct, and to consider removing McKenzie from his ministerial post. It argues that his continued tenure undermines his office and Parliament. The ATM also invoked several constitutional and statutory provisions, arguing that the Minister's conduct violates principles of non-racialism, equality before the law, the dignity of all people, and the expectations of ethical public service. The party listed specific constitutional sections and ethics codes, including references to Sections 1(b), 9, 10, and 195(1)(e) and (i) of the Constitution, the Executive Members' Ethics Act, and the Parliament's Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members' Interests. 'Given the gravity of the matter, I request that the Presidency, Parliament, and the Ethics Committee initiate an immediate and thorough investigation into the Minister's remarks, past and present; determine whether these remarks constitute a breach of the Constitution, the Executive Members' Ethics Act, and the Parliamentary Code of Conduct; and recommend to the President the removal of Minister McKenzie from his position, as his continued tenure undermines the legitimacy of both his office and Parliament.' Requests for comment from the office of Minister McKenzie were not immediately returned. However, on Friday evening, he wrote on his X account saying that : 'This whole campaign to find something racist I ever said is hilarious because you have now gone 13 years back and can't bring out one racist thing I ever said. I always and still fight that Coloureds and Blacks are one people being treated differently mistakenly.' Meanwhile, ActionSA has reported McKenzie to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) for the racist remarks he made, which included the use of outdated and degrading slurs from the Apartheid era. [email protected] IOL Politics
IOL News
11-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Complaints mount against police minister over claims of interference
Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu has denied links to alleged underworld criminal kingpin Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala. Image: Henk Kruger / Independent Newspapers The DA, uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), and the EFF have all lodged 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. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading 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. '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 lodged a case against Mchunu and Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya at the Brooklyn police station, alleging that they are guilty of obstructing and defeating the course of justice, abuse of power, and criminal conspiracy. According to the party's 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.
IOL News
10-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
DA, MKP, and EFF lodge complaints against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu
Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu has denied links to alleged underworld criminal kingpin Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala. Image: IOL Graphics 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. 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.
IOL News
10-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Opposition parties file criminal complaints against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu
Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu has denied links to alleged underworld criminal kingpin Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala. 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. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading 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.
The Citizen
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Charges laid against Mchunu, pressure mounts for Ramaphosa to break act amid national security concerns
Ramaphosa is expected to meet with both Mchunu and Mkhawanazi before the end of the week. The political noose seems to be getting tighter and tighter around the neck of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. On Thursday, the DA laid criminal charges against him at the Cape Town police station for allegedly misleading parliament. Mchunu is accused of lying to the portfolio committee of police after he initially denied knowing Brown Mogotsi, a man accused of playing a role in capturing the South African Police Service (Saps). In March this year, Mchunu denied knowing Mogotsi. Yet, in a public statement on 9 July, the minister admitted that he does in fact know Mogotsi, describing him as 'a comrade'. DA deputy Chief Whip, Baxolile Nodada, said Mchunu's contradictory remarks raise grave concerns about his misleading of parliament. 'It is a criminal act to mislead parliament in terms of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act. 'The minister committed fraud by knowingly making a false statement with the intent to mislead parliament,' said Nodada. Nodada said Mchunu has violated the Powers and Privileges Act, which criminalises any attempt to mislead or obstruct parliament or its committees. 'It is simply unacceptable for a sitting minister to evade accountability while surrounded by allegations of corruption, links to criminal syndicates, and efforts to shield politically connected individuals from scrutiny,' he said. Where is the president? He criticised President Cyril Ramaphosa's inaction in the face of this growing scandal. 'It is indefensible. Four days after the explosive revelations by KwaZulu-Natal's provincial police commissioner, the president has neither acted against Minister Mchunu nor initiated any credible investigation,' he said. MK party lays criminal charges against Mchunu The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party also laid criminal charges against Mchunu for the same matter. 'We have opened criminal cases against Minister Mchunu, who is charged with obstructing and defeating the course of justice, abuse of power and criminal conspiracy aimed at undermining lawful investigations,' said party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela. The party has also opened a case against Mchunu for unlawfully issuing executive instructions to disband the Political Killings Task Team and using intimidation tactics against whistleblowers and law enforcement officers. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa urged to act fast amid explosive Saps feud EFF initiates Parliamentary disciplinary processes Meanwhile, the EFF has submitted an official affidavit to Parliament's Ethics Committee accusing Mchunu of breaching the Executive Members' Ethics Act and the 2014 Parliamentary Code of Conduct. 'The complaint, filed by EFF Chief Whip Nontando Nolutshungu, calls for a full investigation and accountability at the highest level of executive office,' said the party in a statement. NOW READ: Mkhwanazi vs Mchunu: Reputation of police now 'dented'
