SENZO MCHUNU – I ONLY KNOW BROWN MOGOTSI AS A COMRADE, HE TELLS PARLIAMENT

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu.

By Mpho Dube, Editor‑in‑Chief, The  Azanian

The ad‑hoc committee probing the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) was thrust into another heated session on Tuesday as suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu took the stand for Day 9.

Under a blaze of parliamentary lights and a chorus of shouted questions, Mchunu delivered a forceful defence that hinged on a single, stark claim: his only connection to controversial North West figure Brown Mogotsi is that of a comrade, nothing more.

Mchunu’s voice cut through the chamber as he addressed evidence leader Norman Arendse, demanding that the committee re‑listen to his March denial before the police portfolio committee.

He insisted that he never claimed ignorance of Mogotsi, and he was angry that his words had been twisted. “When General Mkhwanazi twisted my words on 6 July, he told the public I said I don’t know Brown Mogotsi – I never said that,” Mchunu declared, his tone a mix of frustration and resolve. He explained that his acquaintance with Mogotsi dates back to 2017, but the relationship has always been political, not personal. “I’ve never asked if he’s married, never visited his home, never inquired about his job – we just talk ‘this and that’,” he said, eyes fixed on the panel.

The hearing also exposed Mchunu’s admission that he received text messages from Mogotsi, yet he never replied because the content made no sense to him. The committee is now tasked with verifying whether the affidavit Mchunu’s lawyers obtained from alleged criminal Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala was a genuine defence or a fabricated shield.

Mchunu vehemently denied any personal ties to Matlala, stating that the affidavit was secured by his legal team, not through direct contact. “My lawyers obtained the affidavit without me ever speaking to him. It was part of my defence against allegations linking me to criminal syndicates,” he explained.

Mchunu’s testimony comes amid a storm of accusations—disbanded task teams, missing audio of threats from Lt‑Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, and claims of political interference. He admitted that there is no audio recording of Mkhwanazi’s alleged threats, despite earlier claims that he had instructed his chief of staff to capture all conversations. “The part I was interested in—where threatening statements were allegedly made—was actually a reference made before the start of the recording,” he said, a note of exasperation in his voice.

He also argued that all pre‑2024 inter‑ministerial committees were automatically dissolved, including those dealing with political killings, and that the PKTT fell under this blanket termination. This assertion drew sharp pushback from EFF leader Julius Malema, who challenged the legality of such blanket dissolution. Mchunu maintained, “In the 7th administration, we have no interministerial committees on political killings,” adding that he is not responsible for their non‑existence.

The committee will continue its probe, with senior SAPS officials slated to testify. Mchunu’s political fate now hangs on whether the panel deems his explanations credible or merely a smokescreen. The public and media alike are watching closely, as this case has become a litmus test for accountability and transparency in South Africa’s law enforcement and political arenas.