Calls for Minister Senzo Mchunu’s resignation intensify

by Nomonde Simelane

With Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi coming out to make damning accusations against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, calls for the minister’s resignation have continued to intensify from various individuals, political parties and organisations.

South Africa has found itself in a state of chaos, confusion and uncertainty. This comes after Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, shocked the public by dropping some unexpected news during his highly anticipated media briefing.

During this briefing, Lieutenant Mkhwanazi made accusations against a number of high ranking individuals, including Minister Senzo Mchunu who is said to be implicated in a crime syndicate, as well as meddling in police investigations.

With citizens closely tuned in, Mkhwanazi detailed a number of accusations against the minister, including interfering with SAPS investigations by disbanding the Political Killings Task Team which was tasked with investigating politically motivated murders in KZN.

To make matters more interesting, Mkhwanazi linked the minister to some criminal syndicates, and alleged, with evidence from confiscated phones, that controversial businessman Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala has been supporting the minister’s political endeavours.

Despite the Police Minister taking to his social media to refute these allegations made by the high-ranking law enforcement official, the pressure for him to hand in his resignation has continued to intensify from various individuals, political parties, and organisations.

Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and Jacob Zuma’s Umkhonto Wesizwe (MKP) have been among the various groups that were vocal about wanting the minister to step down. They have also hailed General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi for the commendable act of standing up against the crime and corruption that have plagued South Africa.

“We are calling on the minister to do us a favour, he can brief us fine but step aside and allow due process to allow the investigation to unfold if he doesn’t do that, the president will have to act, probably give him a precautionary suspension so that the investigation can unfold,” says the United Democratic Movement’s (UDM) Deputy President Nqabayomzi Kwankwa.

Citizens have also taken to social media to express their anger and frustration with the minister and South African leadership in general. Many have echoed the sentiments of the above-mentioned groups in calling for his resignation.

Also see: Shauwn Mkhize caught harbouring 40 illegal firearms linked to Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala