Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu Paid R3.16m While on Special Leave, Parliament Reveals

• Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu received more than R3.16 million in remuneration while on special leave
• Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia disclosed the figures in a written parliamentary response to an MK Party MP
• The two remuneration packages combined to more than R6 million by the end of August 2026

CAPE TOWN — Taxpayers funded more than R6 million in ministerial salaries during the period that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu remained on special leave, with both Mchunu and his acting replacement drawing full remuneration packages simultaneously.

According to Newsday, Acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia revealed the breakdown in a written parliamentary response to MK Party MP Emerald Kwenzokuhle Madlala.

Figures of the earnings revealed in Parliament

According to the response, Mchunu received a total package of R3,162,529.90 between 14 July 2025 and 31 August 2026. Cachalia, who stepped into the role after Mchunu was sidelined, received R3,024,834.58 between 1 August 2025 and 31 August 2026. Together, the two packages amounted to R6,187,364.48. Both figures are determined under the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers Act.

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Why Mchunu was placed on special leave

President Cyril Ramaphosa removed Mchunu from his duties in July 2025 following a series of serious allegations raised by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Those allegations centred on claims of political interference and executive overreach within the South African Police Service.

Mkhwanazi also alleged that Mchunu had ordered the disbandment of the KZN Political Killings Task Team and raised concerns about the minister's alleged connections to individuals linked to organised crime investigations. Mchunu denied all allegations of corruption and collusion and maintained that he was innocent throughout the process.

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Parliamentary committee findings

Parliament's ad hoc committee investigated the allegations and, by September 2026, members indicated that the evidence before them was insufficient to establish that Mchunu had corrupt relationships with any parties. Committee members did, however, continue to debate elements of his conduct and the decisions he made while in office.

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The disclosed figures draw attention to the financial implications of extended ministerial absences, with the state effectively bankrolling two ministers for overlapping periods stretching more than a year.

Senzo Mchunu's home raided

Briefly News also reported that Senzo Mchunu's spokesperson confirmed that a search and seizure operation was conducted at the Police Minister's private family home in KwaZulu-Natal. Mchunu's spokesperson, Sthembiso Mshengu, confirmed the operation in a statement released on 22 September 2026, noting that it happened on Monday, 21 September 2026.

Officials arrived at his home armed with a search and seizure warrant issued by the Johannesburg High Court. According to the statement, the warrant specifically targeted cellular phones identified by their IMEI numbers.

Source: Briefly News