A prayer service for the embattled Police Minister Senzo Mchunu was held in Greyville Racecourse in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal(KZN) on Saturday.

The service was held in support of Mchunu, who has been on special leave since July, last year.

His leave emanates from allegations of interference in police activities and collusion with criminal elements.

The claims were made by the KZN police Commissioner Leuitenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi that resulted in the establishment of a judicial commission to probe them.

Mchunu is alleged to have authprized the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) in December 2024 without followign proper procedures.

Supporters and independent faith groups gathered to pray for his “deliverance” and strength during a period of intense scrutiny and political pressure.

 This followed a similar gathering in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, in February 2026 which was hailed as a success by organizer Sipho Nathi Mafuyela.

Another prayer was previously held at Mchunu’s home in eMpangeni, KZN.

Organizers state the prayers are meant to support Mchunu, who is “embattled” and on special leave, amid claims that the allegations against him are unfounded.

Spokesperson Sithembiso Mshengu confirmed that while Mchunu is aware of the services, they are not officially sanctioned by him but are conducted independently.

 At the center of a probe by the Madlanga Commission and a Parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee is the allegations that he unilaterally disbanded the KwaZulu-Natal Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) in December 2024.

The situation led to intense political scrutiny, including calls from opposition parties for his dismissal and accusations of potential criminal implications.

The prayers have sparked mixed reactions, with some supporters rallying behind him while others argue that the focus should be on accountability and the truth.

Speaking to the attendees, controversial Podcast And Chill Network Co-Presenter Ngizwe Mchunu said he will never turn his back agaunst his own.

“I recieved a call informing me that there was a prayer for one of our own Senzo Mchunu about the problems he is facing. Pretenders will forever be there even in the bible they were there before us. This is a fight against the Zulu nation. If you wajt to fight Zulu’s , you have to divide them. Whether you are a Christian or not, you have to take this message, the day of Sabaath means life so when Sabaath is no longer bringing life than I don’t know what does it mean.

 “I don’t know him to be scandalous, I’m here to speak about my brother Senzo. To speak about what I know about him, if you have a problem with you must you must “voetsek”. I’m here to tell the history of Senzo Mchunu. He was the head of the province and there was never a time where there were scandalous stories about him. In 2004 the ANC ruled the province under his organusation,” he said.

Mchunu further said: “I’m not here to campaign for him. For the ANC to rule the province , for Jacob Zuma (former South African President) to win the Polokwane Conference, it was Senzo Mchunu who had the numbers. It was Senzo Mchunu who played the huge role for Zuma to become the President. Enemy is a very important item on earth. I don’t care who says what, but I want to tell you that there is no dustin for a human being. You stick with your brother through thick and thin. That is a power of life , that is a power of wisdom, that is a power of family,” he said.

Sakhile Shezi, the founder of Prayer For Senzo Mchunu.said that he had a vision that he must form a group to start a prayer line for Mchunu.

“It just a vision that came to me that I must start a prayer line. It then happened dawned on me that we must pray for Senzo Mchunu and his family. We have to respect and applaud President Cyril Ramaphosa for establishing the Ad hoc Committee and the Madlanga Committee, we will have to respect the outcomes of both Madlanga and Adhoc Committee,” he said while explaining how the prayer line was formed.

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Members of the governing coalition have criticised the move as “reckless grandstanding,” while President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed he would meet the general to discuss what he called an “ill-advised” trip. The government has stressed that Maphwanya’s remarks do not reflect official foreign policy.

The controversy comes amid already strained relations with the US, which has expressed concern over South Africa’s ties to Iran. The Democratic Alliance has gone as far as calling for the general to be court-martialled, accusing him of overstepping his role by venturing into foreign policy matters.

During the visit, Maphwanya reportedly told Iranian officials that South Africa and Iran share common goals, pledged support for the Palestinian people, and said his trip carried a “political message” from Ramaphosa’s administration. Both the defence and foreign affairs departments have distanced themselves from the comments, calling them “unfortunate.”

Ramaphosa’s spokesperson confirmed the president neither knew of nor approved the trip, adding that Maphwanya should have been more cautious in his statements. The general has since returned to South Africa.

Ties between South Africa and Iran date back decades, but they have recently become a flashpoint in tensions with Washington — tensions heightened earlier this year when the US cut aid to South Africa, citing its relationship with Iran and other political disputes.

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