Allegations of Gang Links Shake South Africa's Police Leadership

The revelations by KwaZulu-Natal police chief Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi about Police Minister Senzo Mchunu's alleged connections to a corrupt businessman and efforts to disrupt investigations into politically motivated killings raise significant concerns about national security in South Africa.

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is under fire following serious allegations linking him to criminal gangs and his interference in investigations into politically motivated murders. These claims were made by KwaZulu-Natal police commander Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi during a recent press briefing, where he accused Mchunu of receiving illicit financial support from a businessman known for corrupt dealings to bolster his political ambitions.

Mchunu has staunchly denied these "wild allegations," while President Cyril Ramaphosa has characterized the charges as posing "grave national security concerns," vowing that they will receive the highest priority of attention.

Mkhwanazi elaborated on the abrupt dissolution of a dedicated task force initially formed in 2018 to examine the violent deaths of politicians in KwaZulu-Natal, suggesting that the decision was part of a broader scheme to suppress vital investigations. The provincial police chief disclosed that this specialist unit had unveiled potential connections between influential figures—including politicians and law enforcement officials—and a drug cartel, which contributed to its disbandment.

Mchunu defended his actions, asserting that the unit was ineffective and not adding value to ongoing investigations. According to Mkhwanazi, Mchunu ordered the removal of 121 case files from the unit without consulting the national police commissioner, General Fannie Masemola. He noted that many of these cases remain unresolved, despite some already having progressed toward potential arrests.

The accusations also link Mchunu to businessman Vusimuzi Matlala, who previously held a lucrative contract with the police until his arrest for attempted murder in May. In a bid to substantiate his claims, Mkhwanazi displayed messages and transactions purportedly showcasing Matlala's financial contributions to Mchunu’s political causes.

General Masemola has pledged to address these allegations imminently, coinciding with the appointment of a new temporary head for crime intelligence in the wake of recent corruption arrests. Lt-Gen Dumisani Khumalo, formerly in charge of criminal intelligence, was taken into custody last month over accusations of fraud and corruption, amid ongoing investigations into misappropriated intelligence funds within the South African Police Service (SAPS).

This growing scandal raises pressing questions about accountability and transparency within South Africa's law enforcement, as both the public and political leaders await the outcome of the investigations.