Malema questions Mchunu on his ‘associate’ — minister fires back
Tensions flared once again during the parliamentary ad hoc committee hearings into alleged corruption and political interference within SAPS, as EFF leader Julius Malema and suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu clashed over the minister’s alleged links to former Crime Intelligence official Brown Mogotsi.Malema pressed Mchunu on his relationship with Mogotsi, questioning whether the minister was attempting to downplay the closeness between them.
“Minister, what is the difference between a close associate and a comrade? Are we not just playing semantics?” Malema asked pointedly.In response, Mchunu appeared visibly frustrated, insisting there was no personal or professional bond between him and Mogotsi beyond minimal communication. “I don’t know why I am being asked to show love for Brown,” Mchunu said. “He is not my associate. I’ve never gone anywhere with him, nothing has ever happened beyond this phone.
Mogotsi phoned Mkhwanazi congratulating him. I have never had such a call from him.”Mchunu’s denial comes amid growing scrutiny of his handling of the now-disbanded Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) and his alleged dealings with controversial figures within the police service. Malema has repeatedly accused the minister of attempting to obscure the truth by “playing with words” and avoiding accountability.
The heated exchange highlighted the deepening political tensions within the inquiry, which has seen senior figures like General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, General Fannie Masemola, and other top police officials testifying about interference, factionalism, and corruption in the security cluster.
The ad hoc committee is expected to continue its work into next week, with more revelations anticipated as MPs press for clarity on the chain of command and the influence of political actors in police operations.Readers are encouraged to like, comment, share, and follow for continued coverage of this unfolding inquiry.
