Police raid Senzo Mchunu’s KZN home
Police raid Senzo Mchunu’s KZN home as members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) executed a search-and-seizure warrant and seized electronic devices from the suspended Police Minister’s KwaZulu-Natal residence.
The operation took place on Monday, 21 September 2026, with members of the Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit carrying out the search. The warrant was granted by the Johannesburg High Court and covered specific electronic devices.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said the operation formed part of an ongoing investigation into cases involving alleged defeating of the ends of justice and fraud, among other charges opened at Durban Central police station in 2025.
The latest SAPS raid is the second time police have targeted Mchunu’s communication devices in connection with the investigation.
Senzo Mchunu’s electronic devices seized
The Senzo Mchunu investigation has now resulted in police taking electronic devices from his KZN residence for a second time.
According to Mchunu’s spokesperson, Sthembiso Mshengu, the minister complied with the court order and handed over the requested handset in the presence of his attorney.
Mshengu said the warrant identified the relevant cellphone devices by their specific International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers.
The Citizen reported that Netshiunda described the search and seizure as part of a normal investigative process. Police had approached the court for permission to search for and seize the particular items listed in their application.
Mshengu also said this was the second time Mchunu’s communication devices had been taken by investigators.
He claimed that devices seized during the earlier operation had not been returned to the minister.
Mchunu is expected to address the latest developments and other issues surrounding the allegations against him in the coming weeks, according to his spokesperson.
Second search involving Mchunu
The latest KZN home search follows an earlier operation involving Mchunu’s electronic devices in 2025.
The Witness reported that the latest search was carried out by the Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit under a warrant granted by the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg.
The repeated searches form part of a wider investigation into allegations that have been linked to events surrounding the Political Killings Task Team and other matters involving the police service.
It is important to distinguish between an investigation and a criminal conviction. The seizure of electronic devices under a search warrant does not, by itself, establish that Mchunu committed any offence.
KZN home search linked to fraud investigation
Police have linked the KZN home search to cases of alleged fraud and defeating the ends of justice that were opened at Durban Central police station during 2025.
Netshiunda confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing.
The allegations have attracted significant attention because they overlap with evidence and claims heard during the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which was established to examine allegations concerning policing, criminal networks and possible interference in law-enforcement operations.
The commission has heard evidence from senior police officials about events surrounding the Political Killings Task Team.
Former KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi previously told the commission that he had opened a case relating to the alleged defeating of the ends of justice.
Mkhwanazi linked that case to the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team, an investigative unit that had dealt with politically connected killings and other serious crimes in KwaZulu-Natal.
His evidence formed part of a broader set of allegations that have been disputed by Mchunu.
Madlanga Commission examines police allegations
The Madlanga Commission has been central to public scrutiny of allegations involving senior figures in South Africa’s criminal justice system.
Mchunu himself has appeared before the commission to respond to allegations and questions concerning his conduct while serving as police minister.
The latest police operation comes while the commission process and related investigations continue.
Eyewitness News reported that members of the Serious and Violent Crimes Unit were at Mchunu’s home during the operation and confirmed that a cellphone was seized under the court-authorised warrant.
The commission has heard allegations from various witnesses, but evidence presented before an inquiry should not automatically be treated as proven criminal conduct.
The investigations and commission proceedings are separate processes, with law-enforcement agencies responsible for determining whether sufficient evidence exists for criminal charges.
Cellphone seized under court warrant
The cellphone seized from Mchunu’s residence could potentially form part of the ongoing investigation, although police have not publicly disclosed what information they are seeking from the device.
According to reports, the warrant specifically identified electronic devices that investigators were authorised to search for and seize.
Mchunu’s spokesperson said the minister handed over the handset in accordance with the court order and while represented by his lawyer.
Electronic devices can contain communications and other information that investigators may seek when examining allegations involving fraud or interference with investigations. However, what investigators ultimately establish from the seized material has not been publicly disclosed.
Police have also not indicated whether the latest seizure will lead to criminal charges against Mchunu.
Mchunu remains on special leave
Mchunu has been on special leave since July 2025 following allegations raised publicly by Mkhwanazi concerning political interference and the handling of police investigations.
The latest SAPS raid therefore comes more than a year after his placement on special leave and while several related matters remain under investigation.
Earlier reporting by eNCA noted that Mchunu has questioned the motive behind the latest search. His spokesperson said the suspended minister believes the developments form part of a broader effort to damage him politically. These are Mchunu’s side’s claims and have not been established as fact.
Meanwhile, police have maintained that the operation was part of an ongoing investigative process and was conducted under a court-issued warrant.
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What happens next?
The seizure of the electronic devices could become relevant to investigators as they continue examining the cases opened at Durban Central police station.
For now, authorities have not announced any new criminal charges against Mchunu arising from the latest operation.
The Senzo Mchunu matter is also likely to remain under public scrutiny as evidence and allegations continue to emerge through the Madlanga Commission and related investigations.
Mchunu’s spokesperson has indicated that the suspended minister intends to address the developments publicly.
The latest Police raid Senzo Mchunu’s KZN home therefore represents another development in a long-running investigation that has involved senior police officials, allegations of interference and the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team.
As the investigation continues, police are expected to examine the seized devices in accordance with the court-authorised process. Any further developments, including possible charges or additional investigative actions, would depend on the evidence obtained by law enforcement.
For now, police have confirmed the seizure and the investigation, while allegations against Mchunu remain matters for the relevant investigative and legal processes to determine.
Mainstream media references
- Eyewitness News (EWN) — Police seize cellphone from Mchunu’s KZN home — reports that the Serious and Violent Crimes Unit executed a Johannesburg High Court warrant and seized a cellphone as part of an ongoing investigation.
Read the EWN report - eNCA — Police raid Senzo Mchunu’s KZN home — reports on the raid, cellphone seizures and the investigations into alleged defeating of the ends of justice and fraud.
Read the eNCA report - SABC News — Mchunu’s cellphones seized during search operation at his home — reports that Mchunu’s devices were seized under a Johannesburg High Court search-and-seizure warrant.
Read the SABC News report - Mail & Guardian — More woes for Mchunu as police seize cellphone at his KZN family home for the second time — reports that police searched Mchunu’s residence and seized a cellphone during the operation.
Read the Mail & Guardian report
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