Police have seized a cellphone and electronic equipment from the KwaZulu-Natal home of suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, following a search-and-seizure warrant issued by the Johannesburg High Court.

Members of the Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit executed the warrant at Mchunu’s private family residence on Monday, 21 September 2026.

According to KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda, the operation forms part of an ongoing investigation into cases of defeating the ends of justice and fraud, among other charges, which were opened in 2025 at Durban Central police station.

MINISTER COOPERATES WITH POLICE

Mchunu’s spokesperson, Sithembiso Mshengu, confirmed the raid and said the warrant was specifically for cellphones with designated IMEI numbers identified in the court document.

“As a law-abiding citizen and in the presence of his attorney, Minister Mchunu handed over the handset in line with the directive of the court,” Mshengu said.

Mshengu noted that this was the second time police have seized communication devices belonging to Mchunu, adding that the devices seized during the previous operation had not been returned.

“It must be noted that this is the second time police have seized these communication tools without having returned the first set. Minister Mchunu will address these developments and many other matters that evolve around his name in the coming weeks,” Mshengu said.

BACKGROUND: SPECIAL LEAVE AND ALLEGATIONS

Mchunu was placed on special leave by President Cyril Ramaphosa in July 2025 following explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi that the minister had links to criminal syndicates and had interfered in high-profile police investigations.

Ramaphosa subsequently established the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, chaired by retired Constitutional Court Judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga, to investigate the allegations. The President has said a decision on Mchunu’s future will be made only after the commission submits its final report.

The first raid on Mchunu’s property took place at his Midrand residence in October 2025.

RAID COINCIDES WITH SIBIYA ARREST

The raid on Mchunu’s home coincided with the arrest of his alleged ally, suspended Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, who appeared in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday facing rape charges. According to reports, Sibiya’s house in Centurion and Mchunu’s KZN home were raided simultaneously on Monday morning.

Bishop Maumela, who described himself as a friend to Sibiya, told the media that “there are many being targeted,” suggesting the operations were part of a broader effort.

MCHUNU QUESTIONS MOTIVE

Mchunu has questioned the motive behind the raid, with his spokesperson suggesting the suspended minister believes the actions against him are part of a broader effort to damage him politically.

“There are processes that we are waiting for,” Mshengu said. He added that Mchunu believes the events surrounding him are “not accidental” and that “these things are planned somewhere, and they have a particular objective, and they are aimed at the end of destroying him politically and otherwise”.

PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE DEFENDS MCHUNU

Meanwhile, Parliament’s Police Ad Hoc Committee has again come to Mchunu’s defence regarding the Medicare24 tender, saying he had no involvement in the multi-million rand police tender awarded to the company.

Committee members commended Mchunu for stopping the tender that was awarded to the Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala-owned company, which was found to have been irregular. MK Party MP David Skosana said the Chief Financial Officer should be held accountable for the cancelled tender instead.