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Senzo Mchunu

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The Honourable
Edward Senzo Mchunu
MP
Minister of Police
Incumbent
Assumed office
3 July 2024[1]
PresidentCyril Ramaphosa
Deputy
Preceded byBheki Cele
Minister of Water and Sanitation
In office
5 August 2021 – 19 June 2024
PresidentCyril Ramaphosa
Deputy
Preceded byLindiwe Sisulu (for Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation)
Succeeded byPemmy Majodina
Minister of Public Service and Administration
In office
30 May 2019 – 5 August 2021
PresidentCyril Ramaphosa
DeputySindy Chikunga
Preceded byAyanda Dlodlo
Succeeded byAyanda Dlodlo
6th Premier of KwaZulu-Natal
In office
22 August 2013 – 23 May 2016
MonarchGoodwill Zwelithini
Preceded byZweli Mkhize
Succeeded byWillies Mchunu
Provincial Chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal African National Congress
In office
March 2013 – November 2015
DeputyWillies Mchunu
Preceded byZweli Mkhize
Succeeded bySihle Zikalala
Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Executive Council for Education
In office
May 2009 – September 2013
PremierZweli Mkhize
Preceded byIna Cronjé
Succeeded byPeggy Nkonyeni
Personal details
Born
Edward Senzo Mchunu

(1958-04-21) 21 April 1958 (age 66)
eNhlwathi, Hlabisa
Natal, Union of South Africa
Political partyAfrican National Congress
Spouse
Thembeka Mchunu
​
(m. 1990)​
Alma mater

Edward Senzo Mchunu (born 21 April 1958) is a South African politician currently serving as Minister of Police since 30 June 2024.[2] A member of the African National Congress (ANC), he has been a cabinet minister since May 2019. He was formerly the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal between 22 August 2013 and 23 May 2016.

A teacher by training, Mchunu was the inaugural Provincial Secretary of the ANC's branch in KwaZulu-Natal after its establishment in 1994, and he was first elected to the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature in 1997. While still in the legislature, he returned to the ANC Provincial Secretary position from 2005 until May 2009, when he was appointed Member of the Executive Council for Education in Zweli Mkhize's provincial government.

In 2013, he succeeded Mkhize both as ANC Provincial Chairperson and as Premier of KwaZulu-Natal. However, he was ousted from the party office in November 2015 in a bitter contest with Sihle Zikalala. In May 2016 the ANC compelled him to resign from the Premier's office.

Formerly an ally of President Jacob Zuma, Mchunu was politically aligned to Cyril Ramaphosa by 2016. In 2017 he won election to the ANC National Executive Committee and he subsequently served a brief stint as head of organising at Luthuli House, the ANC's national headquarters. Appointed to Ramaphosa's cabinet after the 2019 general election, he served as Minister of Public Service and Administration from May 2019 to August 2021 and then as Minister of Water and Sanitation from August 2021 to June 2024, when he was appointed to his current position. He was re-elected to a second five-year term on the ANC National Executive Committee in December 2022.

Early life and education

Mchunu was born in April 1958 at eNhlwathi in KwaHlabisa in the northern part of present-day KwaZulu-Natal.[3] He attended high school in Pietermaritzburg and later enrolled at the University of Zululand; he completed his degree, a Bachelor of Arts in education and international relations, at the University of South Africa in 1986.[3] After graduating he worked as a teacher at high schools in Nquthu and Eshowe.[4]

In 1991, after the African National Congress (ANC) was unbanned by the apartheid government, Mchunu became the inaugural Regional Secretary of the ANC's branch in Northern Natal. His appointment to this position marked his entrance to professional politics.[4] In 1994, he was elected as the inaugural Provincial Secretary of the ANC's KwaZulu-Natal branch, under Provincial Chairperson Jacob Zuma.[4]

Provincial political career

KwaZulu-Natal Legislature: 1997–2009

In 1997, Mchunu was sworn in as a Member of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature. Over the next decade, he chaired various committees in the legislature.[4]

He also returned to the ANC's provincial leadership corps from 1998, when he was elected ANC Deputy Provincial Secretary, serving under Provincial Chairperson S'bu Ndebele and Provincial Secretary Sipho Gcabashe.[5] He was re-elected in September 2002 despite a challenge to his incumbency by Mbuso Kubheka: he received 304 votes against Kubheka's 171.[6]

At the party's next provincial elective conference in May 2005, Mchunu was elected to succeed Gcabashe as Provincial Secretary,[7] apparently with the support of Jacob Zuma, who by then was Deputy President of South Africa.[8] While Provincial Secretary, Mchunu – like the incumbent ANC Provincial Chairperson, Zweli Mkhize – was reportedly a strong supporter of Zuma during Zuma's heated rivalry with ANC President Thabo Mbeki.[9][8][10] Mchunu was re-elected as Provincial Secretary in June 2008;[11] at that time he remained a Member of the Provincial Legislature.

KwaZulu-Natal Executive Council: 2009–2013

In the 2009 general election, Mchunu was re-elected to his legislative seat and Zweli Mkhize was elected Premier of KwaZulu-Natal. On 11 May 2009, Mkhize announced that he had appointed Mchunu to the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government as Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Education.[12] Because Mchunu's role as ANC Provincial Secretary was full-time, it was incompatible with his government appointment; he vacated the party office and was replaced by his deputy, Sihle Zikalala, in July.[13] He remained MEC for Education until his own ascension to the premiership in 2013.[4][14]

Towards the end of his term as MEC, in March 2013, Mchunu was elected Provincial Chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal ANC, succeeding Mkhize, who had been elected to the full-time position of national ANC Treasurer-General.[15] Mchunu received 385 votes against the 373 votes received by the other candidate, incumbent Deputy Provincial Chairperson Willies Mchunu.[16][17] According to the Mail & Guardian, his candidacy was opposed by Zuma (who by then was President of South Africa), apparently because Mchunu had not supported Zuma's bid for re-election at the ANC's 53rd National Conference in December 2012.[17]

KwaZulu-Natal Premier: 2013–2016

In order to take up the Treasurer-General position, Mkhize also resigned from his government position as KwaZulu-Natal Premier; Mchunu was sworn in as acting Premier on 22 August 2013[18] and on 26 September 2013 was formally elected to succeed Mkhize.[19] In the 2014 general election, Mchunu was elected to a full term as Premier.[20]

At the ANC's next provincial elective conference in November 2015, Mchunu ran for re-election as ANC Provincial Chairperson but was defeated by his one-time deputy, Sihle Zikalala, who received 780 votes against Mchunu's 675.[21] Mchunu also failed to gain election as an ordinary member of the ANC Provincial Executive Committee.[22] The outcome led to an outbreak of bitter factionalism in the provincial party, reportedly leading to several political assassinations.[22][23] Mchunu's supporters claimed that the vote had been rigged and successfully challenged it in the courts, leading in late 2017 to the nullification of the election and the dissolution of Zikalala's leadership corps.[23][24]

However, by then, Mchunu had been removed from the KwaZulu-Natal premiership: he resigned on 23 May 2016 under significant pressure from leaders of both the provincial and the national ANC.[22][25][26] He said that he had informed the national ANC leadership that he had "reservations" about the circumstances of his departure.[27][28] Shortly afterwards, the ANC announced that he would be replaced as Premier by Willies Mchunu and that he would be offered an ANC seat in the national Parliament.[27][28]

National political career

Luthuli House: 2017–2019

Ahead of the ANC's 54th National Conference, Mchunu stood to succeed Gwede Mantashe as ANC Secretary-General. He ran on an informal slate aligned to Cyril Ramaphosa[29] – he was reportedly a longstanding supporter of Ramaphosa's bid to be elected ANC President.[30] Indeed, the Daily Maverick said that Mchunu became Ramaphosa's "chief campaigner in KwaZulu-Natal".[31] At the conference, held at Nasrec in December 2017, Ramaphosa won the presidency but Mchunu lost the Secretary-General position in a vote to Ace Magashule, who received 2,360 votes to Mchunu's 2,336. Because of the narrow 24-vote margin that decided the contest, the outcome was subject to controversy and a recount.[32][33][34]

Despite his defeat in the Secretary-General race, the 54th National Conference elected Mchunu to a five-year term as an ordinary member of the ANC National Executive Committee. He received 1,800 votes across the 4,283 ballots cast, making him the 18th-most popular of the 80 candidates elected.[35] In February 2018, he was appointed chairperson of organising and campaigns in the party, a full-time position that was based out of the ANC's national headquarters at Luthuli House in Johannesburg and that involved working closely with the Secretary-General's office.[36] Ramaphosa and his supporters had reportedly pushed for Mchunu to be appointed to the role, while Ace Magashule's preferred candidate was Dakota Legoete, who was appointed Mchunu's deputy.[37][38]

National cabinet: 2019–2022

In the 2019 general election, Mchunu was elected as a Member of the National Assembly, ranked 13th on the ANC's party list.[39] Ramaphosa was elected to his first full term as President in the same election, and he appointed Mchunu to his cabinet as Minister of Public Service and Administration. Sindy Chikunga was appointed as Mchunu's deputy.[40]

Ministry of Water and Sanitation

On 5 August 2021, Ramaphosa announced a cabinet reshuffle in which Mchunu was moved to the Ministry of Water and Sanitation, newly split from the former Ministry of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation.[41] Dikeledi Magadzi was appointed Deputy Minister for Water and Sanitation in the same reshuffle.[42]

Ministry of Police

After the May 2024 election, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his new cabinet in which he appointed Mchunu to the position of Police Minister, succeeding Bheki Cele [43]

On the 01st of July 2024, South African Police Union (SAPU), welcomed Mchunu's appointment as the new Police Minister, however did issue as stern warning to stay in his lane and not interfere with operational matters of police. While Police, Prisons and Civil Rights Union (Popcru), challenged Mchunu to stop the killing of law enforcement officers and over crowded prisons [44]

On the 15th of July 2024, Mchunu held a press conference in which he outlined his priorities as Minister of Police. Indicating the need to modernize South African policing. Stating the crime levels in the country were too high and intolerable, and that tough measures needed for certain crime reduction strategies. [45]

Crime

ANC NEC

At the ANC's 55th National Conference in December 2022, Mchunu was re-elected to a second five-year term on the party's National Executive Committee; he was ranked sixth of the 80 candidates elected, receiving 1,932 votes across 4,029 ballots.[46] In the run-up to the conference, he was also considered a likely running mate for Ramaphosa, who was running for re-election to the ANC presidency;[47][48][49] however, he ultimately was not nominated to stand for a top party office.

Personal life

Mchunu married Thembeka (born 31 January 1968) in July 1990.[50] She is also a politician.[51][52] They have four children – Zinhle, Mathuthu, Jama, and Phakade – and grandchildren.[50]

References

  1. ^ "Historic day for SA as government of national unity ministers take oath of office". Daily Maverick. 3 July 2024. Archived from the original on 3 July 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  2. ^ "Meet the new cabinet". sowetanlive.co.za. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  3. ^ a b Suleman, Mohamed (26 September 2013). "The Honourable Premier of KZN". Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Senzo Mchunu, Mr". South African Government. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  5. ^ "ANC Provincial Office Bearers". African National Congress. 27 October 1998. Archived from the original on 21 February 1999. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  6. ^ Vapi, Xolisa (2 September 2002). "Ndebele wins ANC chair in KZN by 17 votes". IOL. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  7. ^ "ANC leaders re-elected in KwaZulu-Natal". The Mail & Guardian. 16 May 2005. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  8. ^ a b Ngalwa, Sibusiso (28 October 2007). "Line-up of ANC's would-be kingmakers". IOL. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  9. ^ "Mkhize says Zuma can still lead South Africa". The Mail & Guardian. 29 March 2007. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  10. ^ "Darkness visible in JZ's kingdom by the sea". The Mail & Guardian. 19 July 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  11. ^ "Zweli Mkhize now ANC's top man in KZN". The Mail & Guardian. 21 June 2008. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  12. ^ "Statement by Dr Zweli Mkhize at his inauguration as the Premier of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal". South African Government. 11 May 2009. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  13. ^ "Statement by the African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal on the Provincial General Council Meeting". Polity. 6 July 2009. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  14. ^ "Nkonyeni bags KZN education MEC position". The Mail & Guardian. 7 October 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  15. ^ "ANC aims for 70 percent in KZN". eNCA. 24 March 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  16. ^ "Senzo Mchunu is new ANC KZN Chair". eNCA. 24 March 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  17. ^ a b "Senzo Mchunu narrowly wins KZN chair". The Mail & Guardian. 24 March 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  18. ^ "Zweli Mkhize resigns as KZN premier". News24. SAPA. 22 August 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  19. ^ "Senzo Mchunu elected new KZN premier". News24. SAPA. 26 September 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  20. ^ "The new KZN cabinet – Senzo Mchunu". Politicsweb. 26 May 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  21. ^ "Sihle Zikalala ANC KZN's new chairperson". News24. 8 November 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  22. ^ a b c "KZN Premier Mchunu resigns after pressure from ANC". The Mail & Guardian. 23 May 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  23. ^ a b News24 (15 December 2017). "NDZ loses out on KZN PEC votes". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 30 November 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  24. ^ Ndou, Clive (16 January 2018). "ANC resolves to dissolve KZN PEC". Witness. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  25. ^ "ANC does not regret removing Mchunu as KZN premier, says Mantashe". The Mail & Guardian. 25 May 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  26. ^ Madlala, Cyril (22 May 2016). "Change at the top in KwaZulu-Natal: Senzo Mchunu's slow-mo axing". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  27. ^ a b "Willies Mchunu replaces Senzo as KZN premier". IOL. 23 May 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  28. ^ a b Maqhina, Mayibongwe (24 May 2016). "ANC mum on shortcomings that led to Mchunu axing". IOL. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  29. ^ "Nasrec 68 turn election on its head". The Mail & Guardian. 19 December 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  30. ^ "Senzo Mchunu recall could leave KZN ANC-led alliance in tatters". The Mail & Guardian. 24 May 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  31. ^ du Plessis, Carien (20 September 2017). "Moerane Commission: Mchunu lays bare his version of why KZN politicians are being assassinated". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  32. ^ du Plessis, Carien (19 December 2017). "'Missing' votes could tip SG position in favour of Mchunu". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  33. ^ van Rensburg, Alet Janse (19 December 2017). "The case of the ANC's missing votes – why it's important". News24. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  34. ^ White, Ray (22 December 2017). "ANC, 'Nasrec 68' to deal with missing votes issue in 2018". EWN. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  35. ^ "Here is the ANC's new NEC". Citypress. 21 December 2017. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
  36. ^ "Mchunu's sights are on the 2019 prize". The Mail & Guardian. 2 March 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  37. ^ du Plessis, Carien (25 February 2018). "Cabinet shake-up predictions intensify, with both Mabuza and Mbete a shoo-in for deputy presidency". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  38. ^ "Ace Magashule unfazed by Senzo Mchunu appointment". The Mail & Guardian. 25 February 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  39. ^ "Edward Senzo Mchunu". People's Assembly. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  40. ^ Nicolson, Greg (29 May 2019). "Ramaphosa cuts Cabinet from 36 to 28 ministers, half of whom are women". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  41. ^ Booysen, Susan (5 August 2021). "Cabinet reshuffle: ANC Revolt 2021 forces Ramaphosa's boldest move". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  42. ^ "Ramaphosa's Cabinet reshuffle – who's in, who's out?". News24. 5 August 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  43. ^ "South Africa's Ramaphosa names new cabinet". {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help); Text "https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/1/south-africas-ramaphosa-names-new-cabinet" ignored (help)
  44. ^ "Mchunu must walk his lane and not interfere with operational matters of police". Sowetan (in en - ZA). 01 July 2024. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Missing or empty |url= (help); Text "https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/south-africa/2024-07-01-mchunu-must-walk-in-his-lane-and-not-interfere-with-operational-police-business-sapu/" ignored (help)CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  45. ^ "SA police Minister Senzo Mchunu on a mission to modernise policing to tackle 'intolerable' crime". DailyMaverick. 15 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  46. ^ "ANC NEC election results". Politicsweb. 21 December 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  47. ^ "Horse-trading intensifies as ANC conference kicks off". Business Day. 16 December 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  48. ^ "Who did not make the cut? Nominations for the ANC top six". Business Day. 30 November 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  49. ^ "Bid to get ANC to back Senzo Mchunu for senior party position seemingly foiled". Business Day. 30 November 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  50. ^ a b "Life, love and politics: At home with Thembeka Mchunu". News24. 7 August 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  51. ^ "Remove wife from office, premier told". IOL. 22 October 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  52. ^ Mavuso, Sihle (26 January 2022). "Minister's wife joins race to lead influential ANC KZN region". IOL. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
Political offices
Preceded by
Office recreated
 Minister of Water and Sanitation
5 August 2021 – 		Incumbent
Preceded by Minister of Public Service and Administration
30 May 2019 – 5 August 2021 		Succeeded by
Ayanda Dlodlo
Political offices
Preceded by Premier of KwaZulu-Natal
22 August 2013 – 24 May 2016 		Next:
Willies Mchunu
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Senzo_Mchunu&oldid=1259855400"