A top police official has accused South Africa's Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of working with criminal gangs. KwaZulu-Natal police chief Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made these serious claims during a Sunday press meeting. The police chief says Mchunu takes money from a dodgy businessman to help pay for his political activities. Mchunu has denied these accusations and calls them wild lies. President Cyril Ramaphosa says the claims worry him greatly and need urgent attention.
Mkhwanazi explained how a special police team got shut down after investigating political murders. The team had been looking into killings of politicians since 2018. Their work had uncovered connections to powerful people like politicians and police officers linked to drug cartels. Mchunu closed the unit earlier this year and said it was not helping the province. The minister moved 121 case files away from the team without getting permission from the national police commissioner.
The police chief also shared evidence about businessman Vusimuzi Matlala giving money to the minister. Matlala had a profitable contract with police before getting arrested for attempted murder in May. Mkhwanazi showed text messages and payment records to prove his claims. The national police commissioner says he will talk about these accusations later this week. Several other high-ranking police officers recently got arrested for corruption and fraud.
Mkhwanazi explained how a special police team got shut down after investigating political murders. The team had been looking into killings of politicians since 2018. Their work had uncovered connections to powerful people like politicians and police officers linked to drug cartels. Mchunu closed the unit earlier this year and said it was not helping the province. The minister moved 121 case files away from the team without getting permission from the national police commissioner.
The police chief also shared evidence about businessman Vusimuzi Matlala giving money to the minister. Matlala had a profitable contract with police before getting arrested for attempted murder in May. Mkhwanazi showed text messages and payment records to prove his claims. The national police commissioner says he will talk about these accusations later this week. Several other high-ranking police officers recently got arrested for corruption and fraud.
