SIBONGAKONKE SHOBA | Familiar playbook in support for Mchunu’s presidential ambitions

On Valentine’s Day, while many were exchanging gifts with their partners, a group gathered at the Mbombela Civic Centre to pray for suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu. Though Mchunu himself was absent, his spokesperson confirmed that he was aware of the event. Soon after, another prayer service was held at his home, where church leaders laid hands on the embattled politician.

And if that wasn’t enough, yet another prayer session followed at the Greyville racecourse in Durban, where attendees donned white T-shirts emblazoned with Mchunu’s smiling face. I’m no political sangoma, but I know a campaign when I see one. We’ve seen this script before.

Recall what happened when a former deputy president was forced out after his financial adviser was convicted of corruption. He too was showered with prayers and incense, paraded through church services, and made appearances at every funeral of a “comrade.” Soon came memorial lectures and cadre assemblies. It would not be surprising if Mchunu is following the same playbook.

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After all, he was ANC provincial secretary in KwaZulu-Natal when the province propelled Jacob Zuma to the presidency. Like Zuma, Mchunu now finds himself against the ropes. President Cyril Ramaphosa recently distanced himself from a decision Mchunu announced on New Year’s Eve 2024. Responding to questions from parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating allegations by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, Ramaphosa said he had not been consulted before Mchunu issued a letter disbanding the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT).

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