The Democratic Alliance (DA) and uMkhonto WeSizwe Party (MK), respectively filed criminal charges against Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu, in response to damning corruption allegations that sent shockwaves across South Africa.
This follows an explosive press briefing by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commisioner Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi in Durban on Sunday 6 July, implicating the minister alongside Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya in allegations that suggested the South African Police Service (SAPS) had been captured.
‘Minister lied in parliament’
Baxolile Nodada, DA Deputy Chief Whip, addressed media on the steps of the Cape Town Central police station on Thursday 10 July, accusing the minister of lying in Parliament.
🚨 Today, the DA is laying criminal charges against ANC Minister Mchunu for lying to Parliament about his ties to Brown Mogotsi, with alleged links to criminal syndicates in SAPS. Lying to Parliament is a crime. While the President remains silent, the DA will fight for… pic.twitter.com/BmMdQCKHRF
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) July 10, 2025
“Already he’s defrauded Parliament in a manner of a criminal. That is why we’re laying these charges today. The process to investigate the allegations that were made by the provincial commissioner to the inquiries that have been made in the commentary, will then determine the veracity of what is being put there,” said Nodada.
“The minister came [to Parliament] in March, he said: ‘I don’t know Mr Brown Mogotsi’ whose a businessman linked to a criminal syndicate, and later on 9 July say: ‘this man is my comrade’. That’s definitely lying to Parliament.”
Nodada added this is to ensure that every individual mentioned by Mkhwanazi that is alleged to be involved in this criminal syndicate capture of SAPS, forms part of this commentary.
Deputy charged with fraud, forgery
MK officials filed criminal charges of obstructing and defeating the course of justice, abuse of power and criminal conspiracy aimed at undermining lawful investigations against both Mchunu and Sibiya at the Brooklyn police station on Wednesday 9 July.
“We have also opened a case against the Minister for unlawfully issuing the executive instructions to disband the Political Killings Task Team in KwaZulu-Natal and using intimidation tactics against whistleblowers and law enforcement officers like General Mkhwanazi.”
Similarly, MK has charged Sibiya with obstruction and tampering with evidence through the unlawful redirection of case dockets. “His charges also include breaching sections 6, 8 and 11 of the South African Police Service Act 68 of 1995, dereliction of duty and participating in criminal conspiracy alongside Mchunu.”
Additional charges levied against Sibiya also include potential fraud or forgery, particularly if it is found that the disbandment letter in question was unauthorised or falsified.
Lying to Parliament a criminal offence
DA spokesperson on Intelligence Dianne Kohler Barnard stressed the fact that lying to parliament is a criminal offence.
“Around 2013 we’ve had two people who have been held accountable for lying to Parliament. The most recent was [former Minister of Finance] Nhlanhla Nene – he lied and said he did not know the Guptas and had nothing to with the Guptas.”
Barnard said Nene later changed his tune, admitting Nene did know the Gupta family and promptly resigned.
Both parties affirmed their commitment to keep those holding political power implicated in obstructing the ends of justice, accountable.
