Shock revelations: Police minister’s Chief of Staff testifies on corruption, political interference in SA

In a dramatic turn of events, Cedrick Nkabinde, Chief of Staff to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, provided testimony before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee in Cape Town regarding allegations of criminal infiltration and political interference within South Africa’s law enforcement sector. The proceedings, which took place on Wednesday, 19 October, revolved around controversial directives issued by Mchunu and alleged connections with key figures linked to organised crime and political networks.

Nkabinde, who has been a focal point in the investigation, disclosed that he received an ultimatum regarding Mchunu’s directive to disband the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) in KwaZulu-Natal last year. According to Nkabinde, he was told to ensure the directive was withdrawn or face a “fightback,” highlighting tensions between law enforcement officials and political actors. This directive has been at the centre of allegations that criminal networks had penetrated the police, political offices, and private security sectors.

Mchunu, who has been placed on special leave due to these ongoing investigations, allegedly authored the directive without input from anyone else, Nkabinde testified. “Minister Mchunu drafted the directive independently, and my role was only to forward it to the relevant officials, including advocate Vusi Pikoli,” he stated. Nkabinde emphasised that no other persons were involved in preparing or approving the directive.

The committee’s investigation also delved into Nkabinde’s prior role at the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), where he claimed a covert operation was formed to influence appointments within the national police. According to Nkabinde, the goal of the operation was to prevent the permanent appointment of Khomotso Phahlane as national police commissioner and instead promote Robert McBride to the position. He further alleged that AfriForum provided financial support to this plan, although these claims have yet to be independently verified.

Parliamentary proceedings explored Nkabinde’s interactions with Brown Mogotsi, an ANC-aligned businessman allegedly involved in meetings that intersected with police operations and political ambitions. Notably, Nkabinde facilitated introductions between Mogotsi and Mchunu for discussions surrounding illegal mining activities in Stilfontein, North West, and subsequent follow-up meetings. While Mkhwanazi, KwaZulu-Natal’s police commissioner, previously claimed Mogotsi presented himself as a close associate of the minister, Nkabinde clarified that he never confirmed such a relationship. Mogotsi, meanwhile, has claimed ties to the Crime Intelligence unit, a matter still under investigation.

The ad hoc committee also examined issues surrounding the disbandment of the PKTT. Nkabinde indicated that after Mchunu’s directive became public, Mkhwanazi contacted him to intervene. Nkabinde was instructed to approach the minister personally, not in his official capacity, to discuss the potential reversal of the decision. He recorded this conversation with Mkhwanazi without informing him, a decision he said was made independently.

Further concerns arose around complaints lodged by Fadiel Adams, leader of the National Coloured Congress, regarding the actions of Crime Intelligence officers. Emails sent to Nkabinde and Mchunu suggested possible mishandling or interception of criminal complaints, culminating in the arrests of Dumisani Khumalo and colleagues in June. Nkabinde defended his referral of the matter to the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (Idac), stating that the police Inspectorate focused on service delivery rather than criminality.

As Parliament continues to unravel these complex allegations, the committee has announced that Lieutenant General Molefe Fani, Divisional Commissioner for Supply Chain Management, will provide further testimony. The investigation remains critical to addressing claims of corruption, political interference, and infiltration within South Africa’s police service.

FAQ

Q1: Who is Cedrick Nkabinde?
A1: Cedrick Nkabinde is the Chief of Staff to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and has been testifying before Parliament regarding allegations of corruption and political interference.

Q2: What is the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT)?
A2: The PKTT is a specialized police unit in KwaZulu-Natal focused on investigating politically motivated killings.

Q3: Why was Police Minister Senzo Mchunu placed on special leave?
A3: Mchunu was placed on leave due to allegations that he issued directives potentially influenced by criminal networks, leading to conflicts of interest and corruption investigations.

Q4: Who is Brown Mogotsi?
A4: Brown Mogotsi is an ANC-aligned businessman allegedly involved in meetings with Mchunu related to illegal mining disputes and political activities.

Q5: What is the role of the ad hoc committee?
A5: The ad hoc committee in Parliament is investigating accusations of criminal infiltration, corruption, and political interference within South Africa’s police and justice systems.