MPs to probe allegations against Minister Mchunu

Police Minister admits he met Brown Mogotsi

- JONISAYI MAROMO, KAMOGELO MOICHELA and MASHUDU SADIKE

ALLEGATIONS of collusion between Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and the criminal underworld are to be investigated by three committees, as assigned by National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza.

The Portfolio Committee on Police, the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, and the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence have been instructed to investigate these claims.

This comes after political and civil organisations intensified calls yesterday for a commission of inquiry to be instituted while others called for parliament to act.

Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner, has accused Minister Mchunu of obstructing police operations and shielding alleged tenderpreneur Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

Mkhwanazi further alleged that Mchunu interfered with police work by unilaterally disbanding a task team investigating political killings, bypassing consultation with both national and provincial commissioners. Mchunu has denied any wrongdoing.

Didiza has requested that the committees investigate the various allegations made by Mkhwanazi concerning national security, and subsequently report their findings to the National Assembly.

However, Didiza declined requests from the DA and other parties for a debate on the matter, stating it would be inappropriate given that the allegations are currently unsubstantiated.

The allegations had sparked widespread calls for an investigation, with various political parties and organisations demanding action from the government, with the latest call for action coming from the African Transformation Movement's (ATM) parliamentary leader, Vuyo Zungula.