Mbalula Says Senzo Mchunu Should Have Stepped Aside “If He Had Integrity”

Fikile Mbalula opens up over Police Minister Mchunu. (Fikile Mbalula via X)

Mathipa Phishego

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has taken a sharp jab at Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu, suggesting that the senior government official should have stepped aside if he truly had integrity.

Mbalula made the remarks during a media interview on Thursday evening, responding to growing internal tension within the African National Congress (ANC) over accountability and leadership ethics. His statement has added fuel to an already heated political debate over the party’s step-aside policy a rule designed to preserve credibility by requiring members facing serious allegations to vacate their positions pending investigation.

“If Comrade Senzo had integrity, he would have stepped aside long ago. We cannot preach ethics and accountability in public while turning a blind eye when it suits us,” said Mbalula.

While Mbalula did not specify what allegations or conduct he was referring to,the public knows that the minister is entangled with police corruption and cartel favouritism. These allegations are currently tested at Madlanga Commission of Inquiry and the Parliamentary Ad Hoc.

Mbalula’s comments signal renewed pressure on the ANC to enforce its step-aside policy consistently particularly as the party continues to battle public criticism over corruption and governance failures.

One network Citizen on X said, “Mbalula is positioning himself as a defender of ethical leadership. But this also exposes deep divisions within the ANC over who is held accountable and who isn’t.”

The ANC has yet to issue an official statement clarifying whether Mchunu is expected to step aside. However, the comments as evidence of internal turmoil within the ruling party.