Mchunu makes U-turn on step-aside decision

NOW that preparations for his presentations before the Ad Hoc Committee and Madlanga Commission are over, suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu believes he is ready to resume his political responsibilities.

Mchunu's spokesperson Sithembiso Mshengu said Mchunu intends to write to the ANC regarding his decision to step aside from party work and resume his organisational responsibilities within the party.

Mchunu appeared before the Ad Hoc Committee and the Madlanga Commission to justify his decision to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) and respond to allegations of corruption, specifically regarding ties to a tender tycoon and interfering with police operations.

This was after KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu of instructing the disbandment of the PKTT on December 31, 2024 without consulting national police leadership, allegedly to protect politically connected individuals. Mkhwanazi further claimed Mchunu had ties to crime syndicates and controversial businessman Vusumusi ‘Cat’ Matlala. 

Mchunu's decision to write to Mbalula was confirmed by Mshengu who said this consideration came following his appearance before the Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee and the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. 

Mshengu said Mchunu is likely to write to ANC Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, asking for permission to resume his political duties.

Although the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) rejected his request to step aside from party duties, Mchunu voluntarily requested to take leave from his roles on the NEC and National Working Committee (NWC) to face the allegations with clarity.

However, the ANC confirmed that he would appear before the party’s Integrity Commission - Mshengu confirmed that Mchunu appeared twice.

He was placed on special leave from his role as Police Minister.

Mshengu said Mchunu believes he is ready to resume his political responsibilities.

“It was his initiative to suspend his participation in the structures of the ANC through a letter that he wrote to the ANC Secretary-General. He is now in a position where he believes that he is ready to resume his duties without being pressured by the preparation of statements. And those are the basis,” Mshengu said, adding that Mchunu has never been charged. 

Mshengu also shared the same sentiments during a prayer service for Mchunu in Durban on Saturday.

About 32 churches from various districts in KZN attended the service in support of Mchunu, who has been on special leave since July last year.

Political analyst Ntsikelelo Breakfast said Mchunu's image has been dealt a blow. 

He said Mchunu's comments during his appearance at the Ad Hoc Committee will make it difficult for him to return to a public platform and speak for the ANC. 

“It is going to be very difficult for him to redeem himself. It is impossible because there are a lot of things that Mkhwanazi said, including the relationship with Matlala and the underworld mafia, and how he made a decision to disband the PKTT. Some (of the allegations) have been confirmed,” said Breakfast, who added that many witnesses confirmed receiving money from Matlala, which consolidates Mkhwanazi's narrative. 

Breakfast said this will make it difficult 'for Mchunu to get out of this web', adding that it will also be contradictory for Mchunu to resume his ANC duties.

“Not long ago, he said he wanted to step down, and he volunteered that he was willing to do that. I know the ANC does not mean what it says about fighting corruption, with the step-aside rule but he needs to wait, and I doubt that the findings will be in his favour,” he said.

The ANC step-aside rule is an internal policy requiring party members charged with corruption or serious crimes to voluntarily step down from leadership positions in the party and government.

It was adopted in 2017 to combat graft and restore public trust and it forces officials to vacate roles or face suspension.

Another political analyst, Sandile Swana, said this is a clear indication that Mchunu does not want to put his political destiny in the hands of others. 

He said this also shows that Mchunu does not want to be outside the structures of the ANC, including the NEC, as he may lose ground when it comes to his political ambitions.

“He is not doing this because he sincerely believes he is innocent, but he knows that holding a powerful position inside the ANC is part of a weapon to defend yourself against any legal processes and charges,” said Swana, adding that Mchunu is not necessarily considering the good of the nation or the ANC, but this is a move to use the ANC for his own protection.

Cape Times