Complaints mount against police minister over claims of interference

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).

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE and MASHUDU SADIKE

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 yesterday 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.