ANC backtracks on confirmation Mchunu has appeared before party's Integrity Commission

JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress (ANC) has backtracked on earlier confirmation that embattled National Executive Committee (NEC) member and Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has made his first appearance before the Integrity Commission over claims of misconduct.

Mchunu is one of the latest ANC members who have been hauled before the party’s accountability structure after being accused of political interference in the police force.

KZN police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made sweeping claims about infiltration, collusion and political interference in police operations, with Mchunu now at the centre of the allegations.

Acting quicker than usual, the ANC said the gravity of the claims made by Mkhwanazi about political interference in police operations required urgent action.

In a 702 interview on Monday, ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri confirmed Mchunu’s first appearance before the commission.

“The process of the party is unfolding as we speak, he’s already had his first iteration with the Integrity Commission of the ANC and that has not been concluded. The follow-up session is going to be scheduled, but he’s already had a sit-down with the commission yesterday.”

But at a media briefing on Tuesday, ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula contradicted Bhengu-Motsiri, who sat next to him at Luthuli House during the briefing.

“There’s been disinformation doing the rounds on social media up to using Artificial Intelligence about the Integrity Commission, alleging all sorts of things, including that the Integrity Commission has taken certain decisions. There has not been any interaction between comrade Senzo and the Integrity Commission; however, such an interaction will happen as it is required by the ANC Integrity Commission and the guidelines.

“There has not been any decision that has been taken on this matter. As and when they appear, the Integrity Commission will deal with the matters. Anyone who is peddling misinformation in this regard needs to be corrected and clarified that there have not been such happenings in our surroundings in terms of integrity commission,” added Mbalula.

While Mchunu will continue to perform his duties as a Member of Parliament, and will not be removed from the party’s leadership structures. Mbalula said he was a no-show at this week's national working committee meeting.

"We expected him to attend the meeting yesterday [Monday] and he gave me an apology and I told him that I need to sit down with him, that this absence of leave, we are not affected by it as the ANC. His absence of leave is in his relation of deployment, we will straighten things, he will come to meetings."

An ANC NEC meeting set down for this weekend has been postponed for a fourth time to address this and other pressing matters.

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