Suspended Police Minister faces backlash over false death report

Suspended Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu faced tough questioning from Members of Parliament during his appearance before the ad hoc committee probing allegations of corruption and political interference within the South African Police Service (SAPS).Mchunu came under fire after submitting a report that falsely claimed an Eastern Cape municipal Speaker, Xolile Kompela, had been killed. It was later revealed that Kompela is alive, prompting MPs to question the credibility of the minister’s evidence and the processes behind his submissions.

Committee members accused Mchunu of misleading Parliament and presenting unverified information during an inquiry of national importance. The revelation caused visible tension in the hearing, with some MPs calling for accountability over what they described as a “gross factual error” that undermined the integrity of the committee’s work.

In his defence, Mchunu distanced himself from the error, saying the report was prepared and submitted by his legal team. “The inaccurate report was brought to me by my legal advisers. I relied on their information and presented it to the committee in good faith,” he told MPs.

The blunder has sparked concern among observers about the thoroughness of the documentation being used in the ongoing hearings, which have already exposed deep divisions and alleged political meddling in SAPS operations.

While Mchunu attempted to clarify the mistake, MPs insisted that such lapses could not be overlooked, especially given the sensitivity of the inquiry. The committee is expected to deliberate further on whether the submission constitutes a violation of parliamentary rules.

As the investigation continues, the incident adds another layer of controversy to Mchunu’s tenure, which has been marred by disputes over the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team and allegations of operational overreach.

Readers are encouraged to like, comment, share, and follow for further developments from the ad hoc committee hearings.