The Democratic Alliance (DA) has formally filed criminal charges against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, escalating its demand for accountability following explosive allegations of political interference in law enforcement. The charges were laid at the Cape Town Central Police Station on Thursday, 10 July 2025.
DA wants criminal charges filed against Police Minister
The party also confirmed that it will lodge a complaint with Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests.
At the heart of the complaint is a contradiction between what Mchunu told Parliament earlier this year and what he stated publicly this week.
The DA contends that the minister’s reversal on whether he knows businessman Brown Mogotsi amounts to fraud and a criminal violation of parliamentary rules.
In March, while addressing the Police Portfolio Committee under oath, Mchunu denied any connection to Mogotsi—a businessman alleged to be linked to a broader criminal network.
But in a statement on Wednesday, 9 July 2025, Mchunu confirmed that he does in fact know Mogotsi, describing him as “a comrade.”
This has led the DA to accuse him of lying to Parliament, a criminal offence under the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act.
That law states it is illegal to mislead or obstruct Parliament or any of its committees.
DA Deputy Chief Whip Baxolile Nodada MP, who submitted the charges, said the situation has reached a breaking point.
“It is simply unacceptable for a sitting Minister to evade accountability while surrounded by allegations of corruption,” Nodada stated.
He also stressed that Mchunu must face the consequences of giving contradictory statements to lawmakers.
This latest development follows damaging claims made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
In a press briefing on Sunday, 6 July 2025, Mkhwanazi alleged that Minister Mchunu ordered the shutdown of a key task team investigating political killings and criminal networks in KwaZulu-Natal.
The commissioner further claimed that evidence retrieved from the cellphone of businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala suggested a link between Mchunu and figures implicated in organised crime.
Mchunu’s office has rejected the allegations as “baseless” and “wild,” but the minister has acknowledged knowing Mogotsi—contradicting his previous denial in Parliament.
The DA says this breach also contravenes Parliament’s Code of Conduct, which requires members to act with honesty and integrity.
Criticism has also been directed at President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has yet to publicly respond to the allegations involving Mchunu or to initiate a formal investigation.
The DA has described Ramaphosa’s silence as “indefensible,” especially since other cabinet members—Dr Nobuhle Nkabane and Thembi Simelane—have also been linked to unrelated but serious allegations of misconduct.
The DA maintains that without decisive leadership and action, trust in South Africa’s criminal justice system will continue to erode.
It is calling for full transparency and legal accountability, starting with Mchunu.