The African National Congress (ANC) has rejected a request by suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to voluntarily step aside from all party activities.
The party said Mchunu, who serves on its National Executive Committee (NEC), may only step aside once he has been criminally charged.
Mchunu was placed on a leave of absence in July by President Cyril Ramaphosa following explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mkhwanazi claimed that Mchunu colluded with criminal elements to disband the province’s Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).
The allegations led to the establishment of both the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating claims of political interference, corruption, and criminal infiltration within law enforcement structures.
Mchunu has repeatedly denied any involvement with criminal syndicates and has defended his decision to dissolve the PKTT, arguing it was done in line with administrative and operational considerations.
In a statement on Friday, ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the NEC had considered Mchunu’s request and concluded that it would not be appropriate for him to step aside from his party responsibilities at this stage.
“The National Executive Committee discussed the circumstances surrounding Comrade Mchunu’s matter and, consistent with the provisions of the ANC Constitution and established policy, agreed that he would continue to perform organisational tasks while on special leave from his Cabinet responsibilities,” Bhengu-Motsiri said.
She added that the NEC would revisit its decision if new developments warranted further consideration.
“As a movement rooted in renewal and ethical leadership, the ANC reiterates that once a member is criminally charged, they voluntarily step aside from their responsibilities until the conclusion of such matters,” Bhengu-Motsiri said.
The party emphasised that its policy reflects its “enduring commitment to integrity, transparency, and accountability” and said it was closely monitoring ongoing investigations.
The ANC also commended Mchunu for cooperating with both the Madlanga Commission and the ANC Integrity Commission, calling his participation “in line with the movement’s values of accountability, discipline, and respect for due process.”
Mchunu’s political future remains uncertain as the Madlanga Commission continues to hear testimony implicating several senior police and government officials in alleged corruption and interference in key criminal investigations.
