Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who is on special leave, on Tuesday rejected allegations that he tried to influence key testimony before the Madlanga commission of inquiry, calling the claims “inaccurate and untruthful”, while reiterating his commitment to lawful conduct.
Mchunu’s media statement came after a senior undercover Crime Intelligence official, referred to as Witness E, testified that Mchunu repeatedly pressured him to provide false evidence.
Refutes allegations
In a statement released on Tuesday night, Mchunu categorically denied the claims, which reportedly involve interactions mentioned in the witness’s testimony. He stated that his legal team is actively addressing the matter. And he confirmed his intention to respond to the allegations when he appears before the commission again.
“I deny the allegations he makes about me, including the interactions in his statements,” Mchunu said in the statement.
The Madlanga commission continues to investigate the matter. And further developments are expected as Mchunu prepares to testify.
Witness E has been under witness protection for over five years. This was due to his role in the 2017 investigation into the assassination of former ANC Youth League secretary-general Sindiso Magaqa. He told the commission on Monday that Mchunu directly and persistently tried to steer his testimony in the minister’s favour.
Witness E said Mchunu called him from multiple phone numbers. He allegedly directed him to craft a statement for submission, and urged him to testify in a manner that would implicate senior police officials. These include Crime Intelligence head Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo.
“He consistently called and told me that there was a statement prepared for me to present at the commission,” Witness E told commissioners. He added that the directive amounted to a concerted attempt to shape evidence.
Requested to drag PKTT in the mud
He also testified that Mchunu sought to have him discredit the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) and its work. This includes suggesting that the unit had failed to act on critical intelligence relating to Magaqa’s murder.
Witness E said he refused to provide any statement not coordinated with prosecutors and lead investigators. He maintained that he “never … gave him any statement I made to the PKTT or to this commission”.
Witness E’s account was supported by audio evidence played before the commission. In it, Mchunu allegedly discussed the wording of the statement he wanted submitted. The witness described the manoeuvre as coercive and aimed at false testimony.
Commissioner questions during the hearing repeatedly focused on whether the minister’s conduct was tantamount to encouraging perjury.
Mchunu disputed Witness E’s description of the events. The minister declared the allegations “inaccurate and untruthful”. And he denied any coercion, interference or impropriety in his interactions with the witness.
