Witness
Minister of Police (on special leave) · Pretoria / KwaZulu-Natal
Testified · on special leave
South Africa's Minister of Police, placed on special leave by President Ramaphosa on 13 July 2025 pending the inquiry. He testified at the Madlanga Commission in response to allegations - principally raised by KZN commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi - that he improperly disbanded the Political Killings Task Team to shield politically connected individuals. Mchunu denies all wrongdoing and maintains his conduct was lawful; no findings have been made against him and he is presumed innocent.
This profile summarises testimony and evidence given on the public record before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. It restates allegations as presented at the hearings and is not a finding of guilt, liability, or wrongdoing by any person.
Their role
Evidence before the commission alleges that Mchunu issued a directive disbanding the Political Killings Task Team; witnesses including Mkhwanazi alleged the move was intended to shield politically connected suspects. Mchunu disputes that characterisation of his actions.
Senior officers alleged Mchunu acted without consulting National Commissioner Fannie Masemola, and that operational control of the police rests with the National Commissioner. This is an allegation tested at the inquiry, not a finding.
On 13 July 2025 President Ramaphosa placed Mchunu on leave pending the commission, with Professor Firoz Cachalia later appointed acting minister. The leave is a precautionary measure, not a finding of guilt.
Mchunu rejected allegations linking him to criminal cartels, said his engagements with police structures were always lawful and procedural, and pointed to an earlier work-study report that had recommended reorganising the task team - arguing the change had a documented rationale.
On the stand
On the record
Connections
KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner
Mkhwanazi's July 2025 briefing and testimony placed Mchunu at the centre of the task-team disbandment claims.
View profile →National Commissioner he allegedly bypassedNational Commissioner of the South African Police Service
Masemola testified the disbandment directive encroached on his operational mandate.
View profile →Co-named over the disbandmentSuspended Deputy National Commissioner of Police (Crime Detection)
Both were named in connection with the weakening of the political killings task team.
View profile →Alleged associateNorth West businessman
Mogotsi was described in evidence as an alleged conduit between Mchunu and an alleged cartel figure; both deny wrongdoing.
View profile →Sources