Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has publicly distanced himself from Durban businessman Calvin Mathibeli, saying he “barely knows” the security company owner despite recent social media claims linking the pair. The denial comes amid rising public scrutiny over allegations of police harassment and broader political tension in KwaZulu-Natal.
Mathibeli, who leads the Calvin and Family Group, has taken to social platforms to accuse the KwaZulu-Natal Police Service and provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of intimidation and unlawful conduct. He claims that multiple police units, including the K9 unit and the Political Killings Task Team, surrounded his home with firearms, used what he described as a fraudulent warrant, assaulted his guards and confiscated licensed weapons. He also alleged verbal abuse of his family members and pressure on staff to divulge details about his children’s schooling. In response, Mathibeli has launched a lawsuit in the Durban High Court accusing the police of unlawful behaviour and harassment.
Amid this storm, photos showing Mathibeli and Mchunu together sparked speculation of a close relationship. Mchunu’s spokesperson, Thabiso Mshengu, clarified that any familiarity between the two is incidental. According to Mshengu, Mchunu has met many prominent figures over his long career in public service, including Mathibeli before his appointment as Minister of Police, but there is no personal or professional relationship. He stressed that Mchunu has not been involved in or briefed about the businessman’s allegations against the provincial police leadership.
The backlash comes against a backdrop of serious controversy for Mchunu. He was placed on a leave of absence by President Cyril Ramaphosa in July 2025 after the Madlanga Commission was established to probe allegations of political interference and criminal influence within the South African Police Service. Mkhwanazi previously claimed Mchunu had links to criminal syndicates and disbanded the specialized Political Killings Task Team to protect political interests—claims Mchunu has consistently denied as baseless and against police protocol.
KwaZulu-Natal police have labelled Mathibeli’s claims malicious and reckless, suggesting they form part of a campaign to discredit the commissioner. Meanwhile, authorities have begun investigating Mathibeli’s own business dealings after media inquiries. Neither Mathibeli nor the acting national police minister has publicly commented further on the dispute.