South African President Faces Pressure Over Police Interference Claims
Police official accuses minister of halting political assassination investigations
Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the provincial police commissioner, claimed that Minister Mchunu and national police officials seized investigation files in March and froze probes into political killings. Mkhwanazi also stated that Mchunu aimed to dismantle a special task force dedicated to the cases.
“We have embarked on a process of registering a criminal investigation,” Mkhwanazi said during a media briefing, suggesting infiltration of the police service by a criminal syndicate linked to the murders.
Coalition Strains Deepen
The allegations add strain to the ruling coalition led by the African National Congress (ANC) and the Democratic Alliance (DA). The DA, which recently clashed with Ramaphosa over the dismissal of its deputy trade minister, has called for an urgent parliamentary debate and demanded action against Mchunu.
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party also called for arrests of implicated officials. Mchunu, responding through News24, labeled the accusations “wild” and said his office would consider them fully in due course.
Presidency Promises Response
President Ramaphosa, currently in Brazil for the BRICS summit, is expected to announce his response upon return. “This is a matter of grave national security concern that is receiving the highest priority attention,” he said through a statement issued by the presidency.
The ANC echoed this sentiment, expressing “grave concern” while affirming that the president was actively addressing the matter.