Pretoria: President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on leave of absence with immediate effect. The announcement comes alongside the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry, led by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, to investigate allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
According to South African Government News Agency, during a media briefing last week, Mkhwanazi alleged the existence of a criminal syndicate within law enforcement and intelligence services. He further accused Minister Mchunu of colluding with these criminal elements to disband the Political Killings Task Team in KwaZulu-Natal.
During his national address, President Ramaphosa emphasized the urgency of a comprehensive investigation into these claims. He stated, “To address these allegations and the implications of these allegations, I am establishing a judicial commission of Inquiry.” The commission will be chaired by Justice Madlanga, with assistance from Advocate Sesi Baloyi SC and Advocate Sandile Khumalo SC.
Mkhwanazi’s allegations also included the uncovering of a drug cartel implicating the judiciary, law enforcement, prosecutors, and politicians. President Ramaphosa noted the serious concerns these allegations raise regarding the Constitution, rule of law, and national security. “These allegations, if proven true, threaten to undermine the confidence of South Africans in the ability of the South African Police Service to protect them and to effectively fight crime and corruption,” he stated.
With the Police Minister on leave, Professor Firoz Cachalia has been appointed as acting Minister in terms of Section 91(3)(c) of the Constitution. Professor Cachalia, a law professor at the University of the Witwatersrand and chairperson of the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council, will retire from his university position at the end of July. President Ramaphosa will appoint an Acting Minister from within the Cabinet until Professor Cachalia assumes the role in August.