PRETORIA, South Africa — The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry was rocked by explosive testimony on Monday, 26 January 2026, as Major-General Anthony Gopaul, Acting Deputy Provincial Commissioner for SAPS KwaZulu-Natal, accused suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of using the national police service as a tool for ANC political interests.
Gopaul’s testimony has added a new layer of “executive overreach” allegations against Mchunu, suggesting that the minister’s interference went beyond administrative duties and directly into the protection of political allies.
The “Inappropriate” Direct Contact
Major-General Gopaul revealed to the commission that Minister Mchunu had repeatedly bypassed official channels to contact him directly regarding sensitive investigations.
- Direct Interference: Gopaul described Mchunu’s direct communication as “highly inappropriate” and a violation of the constitutional separation between executive oversight and operational police command.
- The “Councillor Case”: Gopaul alleged that Mchunu showed an “unusual and intense interest” in a specific case involving the killing of an ANC councillor. According to the General, the minister’s inquiries were not about the progress of justice, but rather seemed aimed at managing the political fallout and protecting specific individuals within the ANC’s provincial structures.
Policing for Political Gain
The crux of Gopaul’s testimony centered on the allegation that Mchunu attempted to influence police deployments and investigative priorities to favor the ANC’s interests in KwaZulu-Natal.
- Weaponizing SAPS: Gopaul claimed that the minister pressured senior KZN leadership to focus resources on political rivals while allegedly stalling investigations that threatened influential party members.
- The Syndicate Shield: These claims align with previous testimony from KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, who alleged that Mchunu disbanded the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) specifically to shield criminal cartels linked to the political elite.
The Minister’s Defense
Senzo Mchunu, who is currently on special leave pending the outcome of the inquiry, has previously denied all allegations of corruption.
- Prior Testimony: In December, Mchunu told the commission that he had never been accused of corruption in his entire career and characterized the disbandment of the PKTT as a standard administrative decision based on the unit’s “irregular” status and lack of assessments after 2022.
- Legal Stand: Mchunu’s legal team, led by Advocate Thembeka Ngcukaitobi, is expected to cross-examine Gopaul later this week to challenge the “hearsay” nature of some of the claims.
A System “On the Verge of Collapse”
Gopaul’s testimony has reinforced a grim picture of the SAPS top brass, which appears deeply fractured between those loyal to the executive and those attempting to maintain operational independence.
Commission Chair Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga noted that the allegations of abusing police power for party-political gain are “among the most serious the commission has faced to date,” as they strike at the very heart of South Africa’s democratic institutions.
The hearings continue tomorrow, with KZN Hawks head Major-General Lesetja Senona expected to take the stand to address further claims of “cartel protection” within the Hawks.
