South African police minister accused of having contact with criminal gangs

admin July 7, 2025

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South African police minister accused of having contact with criminal gangs

Police Minister Senzo McHunu is accused of having links with criminal gangs and intervening in police investigations into the murder with political motives.

The explosive charges were made by KwaZulu-Natal police boss Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi at a press conference on Sunday.

He said Mr McNunu is getting financial support from allegedly corrupt businessmen to fund his “political efforts.”

After that, Mr McNunu denied what he said was a “wild allegation”, while President Cyril Ramaphosa said they had “serious national security concerns” and “received the highest priority.”

General Mkhwanazi detailed a series of events he claimed, leading to the “well-planned” dissolution of the working group formed in 2018 to investigate the killing of politicians, mainly in KwaZulu-Natal Province.

General Mkhwanazi said the team’s investigation found connections with high-profile people, including politicians, police and businessmen linked to the drug cartel group – which is why the team was disbanded.

When he disbanded the department earlier this year, McNunu said that while many cases have not been resolved, it has not added value to the province.

According to General Mkhwanazi, a total of 121 case files were allegedly removed from the unit under the instructions of the minister, without authorization from his boss, the Chief of the National Police Service, Fannie Masemola.

“Since March, these case terminals have been sitting at headquarters [effect] arrest. ”

The provincial police chief also alleged that Mr McNunu had a connection with a controversial businessman who “financially supported” the minister’s political career.

Vusimuzi Matlala signed a profitable contract with the police before being arrested in May for attempted murder. General Mkhwanazi shared a copy of the text message and the alleged payments paid by Mr. Matlala to prove this.

General Masemora said he will resolve the charges when he announced the appointment of a temporary criminal intelligence boss later this week.

LT-Gen-Gen-Gen-Gen Khumalo, the head of criminal intelligence, was arrested last month on fraud and corruption charges.

General Khumalo and six others are related to ongoing investigations into the Abuse Intelligence Fund and possible illegal appointments within the South African Police Service (SAPS).