A prayer service for the embattled Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is underway in Durban in KwaZulu Natal (KZN).
The service is held in support of Mchunu who has been on special leave since July last year.
This is the third prayer for the embattled suspended Police Minister who was put on ice after he authorised the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) in December 31, 2024.
Before the Mpumalanga event, Mchunu’s spokesperson, Sithembiso Mshengu, said the minister was not involved in the logistical arrangements or funding of the prayer and would not attend.
“They did engage him on their initiative, and he felt there was nothing untoward, especially when faith groups hold such a prayer in his name as they may do with anyone in the republic or beyond,” he said.
The prayer comes as Mchunu faces mounting scrutiny.
KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has accused Mchunu of wrongfully disbanding the SAPS political killings task team (PKTT).
Mchunu admitted to disbanding the PKTT, allegedly with the president’s approval, but acknowledged he did so without consulting national police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola.
Evidence before the Madlanga commission has suggested the unit may have been shut down to benefit criminal syndicates that infiltrated the police.
Mchunu has also been accused of being associated with alleged criminal cartel kingpin Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala.
While several witnesses have implicated Mchunu in alleged wrongdoing before the commission, the Presidency has confirmed he was not implicated in the commission’s interim report.
The report has not yet been made public due to its interim status. A final report is expected to be released once proceedings conclude.