Mchunu ‘not formally briefed’ on Ipid’s decision to drop probe into KZN top cop Mkhwanazi

Police minister Senzo Mchunu says he has not received any formal communication regarding the Independent Police Investigative Directorate’s (Ipid) decision to drop its investigation into KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

Responding to questions on the matter in a media briefing on Friday, Mchunu stated he was learning about the developments from the media, just like the public. 

“I am reading from media together with you. There is nothing formal that has come to me in the form of a report. If there is a withdrawal, then I have not been briefed,” said Mchunu.

Reports emerged on Thursday that Ipid had officially withdrawn its investigation into Mkhwanazi, effectively clearing him of any wrongdoing in relation to allegations of interference in the 2023 arrest of a senior department of correctional services official.

However, Mchunu said Ipid operated independently and was not obligated to consult or inform him when making decisions.

“If there has been a withdrawal, I am not tied to that. It means that they took a decision and they communicated the decision not to me, but to the person they have to deal with in accordance with the way they work and their mandates,” said Mchunu.