ANC's handling of Senzo Mchunu's saga tests 'step-aside' policy

THE ANC's decision to refuse Senzo Mchunu's offer to step aside from party duties creates a perception that the "step-aside" rule is not applied uniformly.

- MASHUDU SADIKE

That is according to political analysts after the ANC confirmed that the party turned down Mchunu's request to step aside from organisational work.

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula clarified that Mchunu’s offer was declined, allowing him to remain active in party affairs despite being on special leave from his Cabinet role.

The “step-aside" rule, an internal ANC policy adopted in 2017, mandates members charged with corruption or other serious crimes to voluntarily step aside from party and government activities or face suspension.

Mchunu’s woes began in July 2025 when KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused him of interfering in sensitive investigations, including disbanding the Political Killings Task Team and protecting individuals linked to syndicates.