Ramaphosa calls family meeting over Mchunu claims

FELLOW South Africans, President Cyril Ramaphosa has called a family meeting on Sunday to address allegations that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and senior police leadership are linked to a criminal syndicate with ties to drug cartels.

- SIMON MAJADIBODU

This also included politically connected figures.

The meeting follows a bombshell press conference by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who accused Mchunu of executive overreach, specifically blaming him for orchestrating the task team’s shutdown.

The televised address, scheduled for 7pm on 13 July, will provide clarity on explosive claims made by Mkhwanazi during a media briefing held on 6 July. Over the past week, the President has held consultations with key stakeholders and security officials.

According to a statement from the Presidency, Ramaphosa will now “take the nation into his confidence” following these engagements.

This week, President Cyril Ramaphosa returned from the BRICS Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro, and his silence on the explosive allegations by Mkhwanazi against Mchunu remains deeply concerning, critics have said.

The DA said Ramaphosa’s continued silence is a failure of leadership.

“The President has not said anything since landing back in South Africa on Tuesday and has not taken any action, said DA deputy chief whip Baxolile Nodada.