Suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu has asked the Johannesburg High Court to set aside a search warrant that police used to seize his electronic devices, according to reports on Sunday. He alleges the warrant was obtained through misleading information and that the supporting affidavit does not show a reasonable suspicion that a crime was committed.
Police say the search is part of an investigation into defeating the ends of justice and fraud, among other charges, opened in 2025 at Durban Central police station. Mchunu has not been reported as charged and is presumed innocent of any wrongdoing.
What is being alleged
Mchunu reportedly filed his application on Tuesday 27 October. According to those reports, he accuses a senior police officer of misleading the judge who granted the warrant, and one report says the warrant was used to search four properties linked to him.
Reports say members of the provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit executed a warrant granted by the Johannesburg High Court in September. Mchunu's spokesperson, Sthembiso Mshengu, confirmed that officers seized cellphones with specific IMEI numbers. He said Mchunu, "in the presence of his attorney", handed over the handset "in line with the directive of the court".
In an earlier comment, published on 23 September, Mshengu said Mchunu believes the events are "aimed at the end of destroying him politically and otherwise". He said Mchunu would speak publicly "in the coming weeks".
What police say
Police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda described the search and seizure as a "normal" investigative process in which police persuade a court to grant a warrant. He said it forms part of an ongoing investigation into cases of defeating the ends of justice and fraud, among other charges, opened in 2025 at Durban Central police station.
The reports seen do not include a police response to Mchunu's court application.
Background
Mchunu has been on special leave since July 2025, after Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made allegations about a criminal syndicate and singled out Mchunu for allegedly disbanding the political killings task team to protect criminals. Mchunu denies this. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the Madlanga Commission on 13 July 2025. Firoz Cachalia is acting police minister.
At the commission, National Commissioner Fannie Masemola, Bheki Cele and other officials were among those who testified that Mchunu was not in a position to disband the task team alone, according to published coverage.
