ANC says Ramaphosa must not be defied as Mchunu moves to defend himself following Mkhwanazi's allegations
Mchunu, who is also an ANC national executive committee member, was named by KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as a key figure in political interference in police operations.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu
JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress (ANC) says it’s taken a dim view of Police Minister Mchunu’s move to defend his name amid a storm over claims he has tried to sabotage police operations.
This, despite President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that he would handle the matter.
Mchunu, who is also an ANC national executive committee member, was named by KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as a key figure in political interference in police operations.
It’s alleged he orchestrated the collapse of the KZN political killings task team for personal gain and that he's a beneficiary of corruption.
READ: Mchunu admits knowing Brown Mogotsi after denying in Parliament
While attending the BRICS Summit in Brazil at the start of the week, Ramaphosa vowed to deal with the matter urgently on his return to the country.
In the meantime, Ramaphosa called for restraint and discipline from all those involved.
Mchunu issued a statement again denying the allegations on Wednesday.
The police minister denied having ever met Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala and denied being in Matlala’s pocket.
ANC spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, has labelled Mchunu’s statement as defiant.
"The president must not be defied. The president appealed for restraint, and we do see statements are being issued and we will be engaging our own deployees because the president’s directive has got be upheld."
The ANC has also confirmed that Mchunu and former police minister, Bheki Cele, would have to appear before the party’s integrity commission to account for claims against them in the matter.
It’s alleged that Cele stayed in a luxury penthouse suite owned by controversial businessman Matlala just days before Matlala’s company was awarded a R360 million South African Police Service (SAPS) health services tender.
News24 claims the tender was adjudicated while Cele was still minister and finalised a week after he stepped down.
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