How the Phala Phala scandal affects President Ramaphosa's position on Police Minister Mchunu
A political analyst has cast doubt on whether President Cyril Ramaphosa would be able to act against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu because of his Phala Phala scandal.
Image: GCIS
Political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe from the University of Zululand has weighed in on KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's allegations that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is linked to Gauteng crime syndicates.
Seepe said that President Cyril Ramaphosa may struggle to take action against Mchunu due to the ongoing Phala Phala scandal.
Seepe said the problem is that Ramaphosa is "not a neutral bystander in crime fighting and cannot act without being reminded of his sins".
“The allegations made by General Mkhwanazi against the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, are very serious and are likely to exacerbate factional divisions within the ruling party since Ramaphosa does not enter this quagmire as a neutral bystander.
"The Phala Phala scandal is still hovering over his head. He cannot act without being reminded of his sins,” said Seepe.
He further stated that Mchunu’s allegations also have the effect of undermining the fight against crime and corruption, and call into question Ramaphosa’s renewal programme within the party.
“Given the extent of the allegations, it would be reasonable that nothing short of a judicial commission of inquiry would be required,” Seepe said.
Mkhwanazi on Sunday claimed that Mchunu allegedly abused his ministerial powers to shield a member of a crime syndicate in Gauteng who was arrested for three attempted murders.
He further claimed Mchunu’s real reason for disbanding the police’s political killings unit was that it assisted in dismantling a drug cartel in Gauteng.
Mkhwanazi said last year, he received a request from Gauteng’s police organised crime unit for assistance in arresting drug cartel suspects who the unit had discovered were working with top politicians in Parliament.
He stated that the unit arrested a businessman, and police discovered text messages between the minister and the suspect.
He further stated that the minister’s associate also sent a message to the suspect informing him that he had arranged a meeting between the minister and the Deputy National Commissioner from Crime Prevention, Shadrack Sibiya, to find a solution.
Mchunu and Sibiya both dismissed the rumours as baseless.
The party’s top brass has reportedly summoned Mchunu to Luthuli House to explain his side of the story.
He is expected to be questioned by the party’s Integrity Commission, which could recommend that he step aside pending the investigation.
Ramaphosa was reportedly en route from the BRICS Summit in Brazil to deal with the matter, which he described as a grave national security concern.
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