Opposition Parties Unite to Press Charges Against Police Minister Mchunu Amid Misconduct Allegations

South Africa’s political opposition is turning up the pressure on Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, with the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the MK Party filing criminal charges over allegations of fraud and obstruction of justice. The DA accuses Mchunu of misleading Parliament about his ties to businessman Brown Mogotsi, while the MK Party has filed additional charges against Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya.
The controversy erupted following a parliamentary police committee meeting in March, where Mchunu, under oath, dismissed KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi’s suggestion that he had close ties to Mogotsi, calling him “some fellow.” This week, Mchunu’s office reversed course, acknowledging that he had met Mogotsi and referring to him as “a comrade, not an associate.”
DA deputy chief whip Baxolile Nodada said Mchunu’s conflicting statements “raise grave concerns” and could constitute a criminal violation of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament Act. The party has laid fraud charges and will submit a complaint to Parliament’s ethics committee.
Meanwhile, MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said the charges reflect “a coordinated attempt to obstruct justice,” pledging the party would not remain silent in the face of law enforcement misconduct. ActionSA joined the effort, leading a protest in Durban and promising to explore further legal action. “Rooting out corruption begins with holding those in law enforcement accountable,” the party said.