Minister Senzo Mchunu
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is facing allegations of misusing his authority to fast-track the promotion of a junior female staffer to a senior government role.
An unsigned letter circulating on social media claims that Kamogelo Mogotsi, who previously held a Level 7 administrative post, was elevated to a Level 13 spokesperson position during Mchunu’s tenure as Minister of Public Service and Administration.
According to several staff members, Mogotsi was shown favoritism — reportedly receiving birthday flowers from Mchunu and being chauffeured in the minister’s official vehicle.
The accusations have raised concerns over potential abuse of power and breaches of civil service promotion protocols.
According to the letter, the promotion was given because of her unique bond with the minister rather than because of her qualifications.
Alarms were apparently raised at the time by employees of the Department of Public Service and Administration. Mchunu was cautioned by human resources personnel that doing so would be against the law and jeopardize the department’s reputation.
Despite lacking the communication expertise typically required for the high-ranking role, Mogotsi was rapidly advanced six levels up the government hierarchy. Nevertheless, Minister Mchunu reportedly insisted on the promotion. The unsigned letter alleges that the human resources department raised objections in the presence of his chief of staff, deputy minister, and legal adviser — all of whom were allegedly disregarded.
Mogotsi has since stated that she has accompanied Mchunu across three different government departments.
According to staff accounts, what followed was a striking pattern of favoritism. Mchunu was observed presenting her with birthday flowers, something no other employee ever received from him. Although he frequently disregarded regular employees, witnesses claimed he publicly gave Mogotsi a warm embrace, which was openly reciprocated.
Mogotsi was reportedly allowed to travel in the minister’s official vehicle and, at times, used blue lights typically reserved for senior government officials. According to staff, she was the first member of ministerial support staff to receive such privileges in the department’s history.
The situation reportedly caused significant internal unrest, with employees saying it eroded trust and damaged morale. Some were so outraged by what they saw as blatant favoritism that they vowed never to vote for the ANC again.
Mogotsi’s ascent is described in the letter as a “symbol of institutional breakdown” and an obvious illustration of the misuse of political authority.
In an interview with Africa, Kamogelo strongly denied the allegations against her.
“No, I do not know Mr Brown Mogotsi. I am not related to him, nor have I met him or interacted with him,” she said.
At a press briefing on Sunday, KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi introduced Brown Mokgosi, a prominent businessman with considerable influence within the SAPS. Initially, Kamogelo claimed she did not know him.
On the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) allegations, she said, “I joined the department in 2018 in the Legal Services Unit. Minister Mchunu was appointed the Minister for DPSA in 2019.
“Following the resignation of the Minister’s then-spokesperson, Mr Vukani Mbhele, I was temporarily requested to assist in the role, given my writing abilities. I was later formally requested by the Minister to assume the role of spokesperson, resigning from my permanent post and assuming a position in a political office, which is contractual in nature as it is linked to the minister’s term of office.
“There was no preferential treatment I received during the hiring process,” she said.
On her qualifications, Kamogelo said: “I have an LLB degree and am an admitted attorney, and while my degree is not in communications as would be expected for a spokesperson, it does involve drafting and requires communication skills, which I possess.
“I have been the spokesperson to Minister Mchunu across all three departments he has led – namely, the Department of Public Service and Administration, the Department of Water and Sanitation, and now the South African Police Service. My appointments have been based solely on merit, competence, and performance.”
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