Senzo Mchunu

By Thabo Mosia

Johannesburg, Gauteng – The African National Congress (ANC) has made a surprising about-face by granting suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu special leave from his party duties, following his own request. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula announced the move on 11 November 2025, explaining that the National Working Committee (NWC) approved it after initially turning it down. This comes as Mchunu faces intense scrutiny in ongoing corruption investigations, including appearances before key commissions. The decision highlights the ANC’s efforts to balance internal processes with public demands for accountability, especially in the fight against crime and graft.

Mbalula stressed that while Mchunu has not been formally charged, the party guidelines allow for voluntary steps like special leave to protect the organisation’s integrity. “In light of the commission’s work and what it requires of him, it is practically impossible not to agree to his request,” Mbalula said during a media briefing. This shift allows Mchunu to step away from his roles in the National Executive Committee (NEC) and NWC, focusing instead on clearing his name amid serious allegations.

Background to Mchunu’s Request and the ANC’s Initial Stance

Senzo Mchunu, a long-time ANC stalwart and former KwaZulu-Natal premier, was appointed Police Minister in the Government of National Unity cabinet after the 2024 elections. However, his tenure hit rough waters when President Cyril Ramaphosa placed him on special leave from Cabinet duties on 1 November 2025. This followed damning testimony at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is probing allegations of corruption and interference in the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Witnesses at the commission, including former Gauteng Crime Prevention Wardens head Babita Deokaran’s family and others, have linked Mchunu to questionable dealings. Deokaran, assassinated in 2021 after exposing graft at Tembisa Hospital, allegedly uncovered ties between hospital tenders and high-level figures. Mchunu has been accused of being “captured” by cartels, surrounding himself with controversial individuals, and influencing judicial and prosecutorial processes. He has denied these claims, appearing before the commission to defend himself.

Initially, the ANC rejected Mchunu’s offer to step aside from party roles. On 4 November 2025, Mbalula stated that the step-aside rule did not apply since Mchunu had not been indicted on corruption charges. The party’s guidelines, adopted in 2021 and amended in 2022, require members facing serious crimes to step aside only upon indictment. Mbalula quoted paragraph 3.1.1: “A member, office bearer or public representative who has been indicted to appear in a court of law on a charge of corruption or other serious crimes must immediately step aside pending the finalization of her or his case.”

However, Mchunu voluntarily presented himself to the ANC’s Integrity Commission, a body that assesses members’ conduct. The NWC reconsidered his request in light of the mounting pressure from the Madlanga Commission and the AdoC Committee, deciding that granting special leave was practical to avoid burdening the party.

Details of the Allegations Against Mchunu

The allegations stem from multiple fronts. At the Madlanga Commission, established to investigate corruption in Gauteng’s health sector and related killings, Mchunu’s name surfaced in connection with the Tembisa Hospital scandal. Deokaran had flagged irregular payments worth millions to companies linked to alleged cartels. Witnesses suggested Mchunu’s involvement in protecting certain individuals or influencing probes.

Additionally, the AdoC Committee, probing claims of police corruption raised by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has drawn parallels. Mkhwanazi alleged “rogue elements” in investigative units were targeting upright officers while shielding criminals. Though not directly named, Mchunu’s oversight of SAPS has put him in the spotlight.

Mchunu has countered these by emphasising his understanding of public trauma from crime and corruption. “The people are feeling the trauma of crime and corruption in the country,” he reportedly said in his request. He maintains his innocence and is committed to cooperating with inquiries, including further sessions at the commissions.

ANC’s Broader Integrity and Renewal Drive

This decision fits into the ANC’s ongoing renewal agenda, aimed at rooting out corruption and rebuilding trust after electoral setbacks. The party has faced criticism for shielding implicated members, but moves like this show a willingness to act, even if voluntarily. Mbalula reiterated that the ANC prioritises ethical leadership, as seen in recent reconfigurations in provinces like the Free State and North West.

The NWC’s approval ensures Mchunu can address the allegations without daily party distractions. It also prevents potential conflicts, as his statements or actions could be tied back to the ANC during sensitive commission proceedings.

Critics, however, see it as a delayed response. Opposition parties like the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have called for stricter accountability, arguing that special leave should have been mandatory from the start. Public sentiment, reflected in surveys showing crime as a top concern, adds pressure for swift justice.

Mchunu’s Political Journey and Future Implications

Senzo Mchunu, born in 1958 in KwaZulu-Natal, joined the ANC underground in the 1980s and rose through the ranks. He served as ANCYL provincial chairperson, ANC provincial secretary, and premier from 2013 to 2016. After a stint as Minister of Public Service and Administration, he took the Police portfolio in 2024.

His special leave from both Cabinet and party roles could last until the commissions conclude, potentially months. If cleared, he might return; if not, it could end his career. The ANC has not named a replacement for his NEC duties, but the move avoids a leadership vacuum.

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