The public protector's office has announced that its investigation into the conduct of suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu under the executive members' Ethics Act is nearing completion. Chief operating officer advocate Nelisiwe Nkabinde stated that the investigation is at a very advanced stage, with the public protector's office following up on new information as it becomes available. The investigation was launched after allegations that Mchunu had breached the act and the applicable code of ethics for cabinet members.
The investigation was initiated after a complaint was lodged by a person referred to as P Maharaj on July 19, 2024. Maharaj challenged the recruitment and selection process used to appoint Leonard Lekgetho as COO of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). Maharaj alleged that the SIU's recruitment process was flawed and that Lekgetho did not meet one of the advertised minimum requirements for the position of COO. The public protector's office has since received full co-operation from all parties involved, including KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
Mchunu was placed on a special leave of absence by President Cyril Ramaphosa on July 13, 2025, pending an inquiry into allegations of corruption, fraud, and political interference in policing. The public protector's investigation is being conducted within its mandate under the executive members' Ethics Act and is not running parallel to the Madlanga commission. The public protector's office has confirmed that it has found no irregularities in the appointment of Leonard Lekgetho as COO of the SIU.
Lekgetho was officially appointed by Ramaphosa in September 2025, after acting in the role since February 2025, when the former head, advocate Andy Mothibi, was appointed national director of public prosecutions. The SIU advertised the vacancy in February 2023, and Maharaj, who applied for the position, was shortlisted and informed that they had met the selection threshold. However, Maharaj alleged that the SIU's recruitment process was significantly flawed.
The public protector's office released its quarter two findings on investigation reports on Thursday, with advocate Kholeka Gcaleka confirming that the office is following up on new information as it edges closer to the end of the investigation. The office has received full co-operation from everyone involved, which has led to the gathering of more information and evidence.
The investigation into Mchunu's conduct is one of several probes into allegations of corruption and maladministration in the South African government. The public protector's office has confirmed that it is working within its mandate to investigate allegations of breaches of the executive members' Ethics Act. The office is expected to release its final findings on the investigation in the coming weeks.
The outcome of the investigation into Mchunu's conduct is likely to have significant implications for the South African government and the police ministry. The public protector's office has urged all parties involved to co-operate fully with the investigation and to provide any additional information that may be required. The investigation's findings will be made public once the probe is complete.
Key points
- The public protector's investigation into Senzo Mchunu's conduct is at an advanced stage.
- The investigation was launched after allegations that Mchunu had breached the executive members' Ethics Act.
- The public protector's office has found no irregularities in the appointment of Leonard Lekgetho as COO of the SIU.
