KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has dropped a bombshell, alleging that a close associate of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu helped sabotage major criminal investigations.
At a secured press briefing in Durban, Mkhwanazi presented WhatsApp records and financial documents allegedly showing links between businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, political operative Brown Mogotsi, and Minister Mchunu. The commissioner claims Mogotsi—who calls himself Mchunu’s “comrade”—pressured to disband KZN’s Political Killings Task Team after a raid exposed ties between gangs and politicians.
“Matlala, who secured a R360 million police contract, has been funding the Minister and Mogotsi’s political activities,” Mkhwanazi stated. Despite holding no official post, Mogotsi allegedly accessed confidential police files and influenced decisions.
The disbanded task team left over 120 cases unresolved, including political murders. Mchunu initially dismissed Mogotsi as “some fellow” in Parliament but later acknowledged their relationship while denying financial ties to Matlala. He called the allegations “baseless.”
The scandal has sparked swift reactions:
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula urged President Ramaphosa to treat it as urgent
Opposition parties EFF and ATM demand parliamentary probes
Ramaphosa, speaking from the BRICS summit, promised a “swift, impartial investigation”
With Mkhwanazi vowing to testify, South Africa awaits answers on whether criminal networks have infiltrated police leadership. The coming weeks could prove decisive for law enforcement credibility.