Senzo Mchunu, South Africa’s Minister of Police, told Parliament that he instructed his chief of staff to record a conversation with KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi because he felt personally threatened. Mchunu revealed this during his testimony before the parliamentary ad hoc committee investigating police corruption and the controversial disbanding of the political killings task team.
Speaking on Friday during the second day of his testimony, Senzo Mchunu detailed the events that led to the recording of the conversation between his chief of staff, Cedric Nkabinde, and Commissioner Mkhwanazi. According to Mchunu, the recording was necessary after Mkhwanazi reacted with anger when the minister’s directive to dissolve the task team was communicated.
Mchunu told the parliamentary committee that the decision to record the conversation was not standard practice but a protective measure. “We don’t record people. I’m not aware of anybody in my office who has ever recorded a person. But in this instance, it’s me who advised the chief of staff to say you may need to record your conversations with General Mkhwanazi because of the threats,” Senzo Mchunu testified.
The minister explained that Mkhwanazi’s reaction had been unusually heated during discussions about the political killings task team, which had been investigating a series of politically motivated murders in KwaZulu-Natal. According to Mchunu, Cedric Nkabinde told him repeatedly that Mkhwanazi was “very angry” about the decision to disband the unit. This prompted the minister to instruct that their conversations be recorded to ensure there was a factual record of the exchanges.
Senzo Mchunu Defends Disbanding of Political Killings Task Team
The political killings task team had been set up to address a wave of assassinations in KwaZulu-Natal, many linked to local government and party politics. Its disbanding has sparked significant criticism from opposition parties, civil society groups, and some members of the police service.
Senzo Mchunu, however, defended his decision, stating that the disbandment was made after careful consideration and consultation with senior officials, including President Cyril Ramaphosa. “The matter was discussed with the President,” Mchunu said, “and there was agreement on the way forward.”
The minister argued that the task team’s functions would be integrated into other structures to improve coordination and efficiency rather than to undermine investigations. “The intention was never to weaken the fight against political killings,” Senzo Mchunu told Parliament. “It was to strengthen accountability and streamline policing operations.”
As part of his testimony, Senzo Mchunu submitted an audio recording of the conversation between Cedric Nkabinde and General Mkhwanazi. The recording, according to Mchunu, provides context to his claim that Mkhwanazi had reacted angrily and made statements that raised concern.
The ad hoc committee is investigating whether the decision to disband the task team and the subsequent interactions with the police leadership compromised ongoing investigations. Mchunu emphasized that his directive was lawful and in line with broader restructuring goals.
“The audio was not meant to entrap anyone,” Senzo Mchunu explained. “It was for the sake of protecting my office and ensuring we had an accurate account of what was said. When you feel threatened, you must act responsibly.”
The task team was established to address a spate of high-profile political killings in KwaZulu-Natal that have plagued the province for years. It became a key structure in tackling politically motivated violence, especially during local government election cycles.
Its sudden disbandment under the directive of Senzo Mchunu has raised eyebrows and fueled speculation about political interference in sensitive investigations. However, the minister insisted the move was based on operational considerations, not politics. “This is not about individuals or silencing investigations,” he told Parliament. “It’s about creating a more coordinated policing approach.”
Senzo Mchunu is expected to continue his testimony before the committee on Tuesday. His explanations are likely to be scrutinized further, particularly regarding why the political killings task team was disbanded and whether the decision undermined law enforcement in the province.
Opposition MPs and civil society organizations have called for more transparency, arguing that dismantling a specialized unit tasked with investigating politically motivated murders sends the wrong message in a province where such killings are a long-standing problem.
Mchunu, however, maintains that he acted within the scope of his powers as Minister of Police and that the restructuring will ultimately strengthen the fight against crime in KwaZulu-Natal. “We must ensure our policing structures are effective and responsive,” he said. “I will continue to cooperate fully with this committee.”
Source- EWN
