Senzo Mchunu Applauds Madlanga Commission as Historic Turning Point and Reaffirms His Innocence

Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has come out strongly in defence of his name, saying the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has done vital work for South Africa. Speaking about the ongoing inquiry, Mchunu described it as one of the best things that has ever happened in the country.

“The Madlanga Commission is one of the best things that ever happened in South Africa,” he said. “Without it, we would not know everything we know now.”

Mchunu was placed on special leave by President Cyril Ramaphosa after serious allegations of political interference surfaced. The commission, led by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, was set up to look into claims that high-ranking officials and parts of the criminal justice system had been captured by drug cartels and criminal syndicates.

The main accusations against Mchunu came from KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mkhwanazi claimed the minister tried to stall high-level investigations into assassinations and organised crime by ordering the sudden disbandment of the National Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).

Mchunu has firmly rejected these claims. He insists his decisions were strictly administrative policy moves and were never meant to protect criminals. He has repeatedly said he has never had any business or personal relationship with underworld gangs or syndicates.

Despite tough questioning about his directives and ongoing media attention, Mchunu believes the public nature of the commission is its greatest strength. He says the information shared by senior police leaders, intelligence officials and independent investigators has given South Africans a clear look into the country’s security weaknesses.

As the commission moves closer to its November deadline, questions have also been raised about the cost to taxpayers. Recent parliamentary disclosures show that the bill for Mchunu’s legal representation and his salary while on special leave has gone past R5.8 million. Opposition parties have criticised the amount.

Mchunu remains unfazed by the criticism. He maintains that the long-term benefit of cleaning up and strengthening the country’s law enforcement agencies is far more important than the temporary political storm. He continues to stand by his position that he has nothing to hide and that the inquiry will ultimately prove his innocence.

Source: https://x.com/MDNnewss/status/2117590037332164717