Crime, politics and ‘Cat’: Mchunu faces Public Protector heat

Public protector

Cape Town – Political pressure on Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is mounting as the Public Protector South Africa (PPSA) has launched an investigation into serious allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

The Office of the Public Protector confirmed on Thursday that it is investigating separate allegations made by Mkhwanazi.

Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu of corruption and colluding with criminal networks, including controversial figures Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and Oupa “Brown” Mogotsi.

He also alleged that Mchunu disbanded the Political Killings Task Team to protect these interests.

The task team, created in 2018 to investigate political violence in KZN, handled over 300 cases and cost the state R415 million. It is now being absorbed into the SAPS Murder and Robbery Unit following Mchunu’s directive. Mchunu denies the allegations.

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) filed complaints prompting the PPSA’s investigation, which will probe Mchunu’s alleged misconduct, including interference in SAPS operations and conflict of interest in a R360 million tender awarded to Matlala.

According to The Citizen, the PPSA noted the complexity of the case and said the investigation will take longer than 30 days to complete.

“The Public Protector will therefore submit a report when the investigation has been finalised.

“We commit, in the circumstances, to make every effort to expedite the finalisation of the investigation and will accordingly continue to keep you apprised of the progress thereof,” the report quoted the PPSA as saying.

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