Jacob Zuma on Nathi Mthethwa

Jacob Zuma, as President, appointed Nathi Mthethwa to his cabinet, first as Minister of Police from 2009 to 2014, and subsequently as Minister of Arts and Culture beginning in May 2014. Mthethwa’s career progression, particularly his ascendancy in the ANC leadership structures following the 52nd National Conference in 2007, is often cited as evidence of the importance of loyalty within the faction aligned with Zuma. During his tenure as police minister under Zuma, Mthethwa was central to controversies such as the Nkandlagate security upgrades at the President's private residence, for which he declared the property a national key point in 2010.

Implications of this strong political relationship suggest Mthethwa served as a loyal functionary, implicated in events related to the Zuma administration, including the handling of the Marikana massacre and allegations concerning the Crime Intelligence slush fund. While the Farlam Commission report in 2015 expressed difficulty in finding positively in Mthethwa's favour regarding Marikana, President Zuma’s public interpretation of the findings appeared to downplay executive involvement. Mthethwa's later career trajectory saw him removed from the cabinet by Zuma's successor in 2023, illustrating the shift in political patronage following Zuma's exit from the presidency.