Police have seized a cellphone from Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s KwaZulu-Natal home during a second search and seizure operation involving his communication devices.
Mail & Guardian reported that officers executed a search and seizure warrant issued by the Johannesburg High Court. Mchunu remains on leave of absence from his ministerial duties.
His spokesperson, Sthembiso Mshengu, said Mchunu handed over the cellphone in the presence of his attorney and complied with the court order.
SABC News and TimesLIVE also reported that this was the second time police had seized communication devices from Mchunu. Mshengu said devices taken during the earlier operation had not yet been returned.
Search linked to ongoing investigation
EWN reported that police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda said the latest operation forms part of an ongoing investigation into cases including defeating the ends of justice and fraud.
According to Netshiunda, the cases were opened at Durban Central police station in 2025.
Mail & Guardian reported that Mchunu currently faces no charges of wrongdoing.
The search itself does not establish criminal wrongdoing, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Mchunu remains on leave
President Cyril Ramaphosa placed Mchunu on leave of absence in July 2025 after KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made serious allegations about political interference in police investigations.
The Presidency said at the time that Mkhwanazi alleged Mchunu had interfered with sensitive investigations and colluded with others to disband the Political Killings Task Team. Mchunu has denied allegations of wrongdoing.
Ramaphosa subsequently established a judicial commission of inquiry chaired by retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga to investigate allegations of criminality, political interference and corruption within the criminal justice system.
The commission’s mandate includes investigating allegations involving the infiltration of law enforcement, intelligence and other parts of the criminal justice system by criminal syndicates.
Its final report is currently due in November 2026, according to the Presidency.