DURBAN - KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has made explosive allegations against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu accusing him of political interference in key investigations in a media briefing on Sunday.

READ: KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner makes explosive allegations at briefing

He revealed that evidence found on the phone of accused underworld figure Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala links the minister to unauthorised communications through an associate, Brown Mogotsi.

Mkhwanazi says Matlala, who was arrested in May for attempted murder, had been awarded a R360 million police contract.

The Minister of Police responded to the allegations with a statement, released on social media reading: 

"The Minister of Police, Mr Senzo Mchunu, in his capacity as a member of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress, has been on a campaign trail this weekend in Vryheid, KZN, ahead of the by-elections on the 16th of July 2025."

"The Minister has been engaging a number of community groupings, including Izinduna, community organisations and commercial farmers, discussing measures aimed at tackling the rampant crime affecting them, inclusive of stock theft."

"Whilst still busy with these engagements, the Minister was made aware of today’s media briefing called by the KwaZulu Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, making a number of wild allegations and claims on a variety of issues."

"The Minister of Police will never allow his integrity, that of the Ministry or the SAPS at large to be undermined by insinuations made without evidence or due processes, from anyone, including Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi. We will be reviewing the Provincial Commissioner’s statements and consider appropriate action."

"All these statements made by him in public require an urgent, thorough and transparent investigation, on a proper platform."

"The Minister of Police remains committed to upholding the rule of law, ensuring accountability within the SAPS, and serving the people of South Africa with integrity. And most importantly, the Minister remains committed to the task at hand, and that is to reduce the high murder rate,reduce high availability of illegal firearms, tackle drug trafficking and syndicates and GBV+F throughout the country, with a specific focus on the four provinces with high levels of crime, namely: KZN, Gauteng, the Eastern Cape and Western Cape."