President Ramaphosa Approves Leave of Absence for Police Minister Mchunu
Pretoria – President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, who is under investigation for corruption, on a “leave of absence” and appointed Professor Firoz Cachalia as the acting Minister.
Recently, KwaZulu-Natal South African Police Service (SAPS) Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanzi accused Minister Mchunu of interfering with investigations and having connections to criminal networks.
In response to these allegations on Sunday, July 13, 2025, President Ramaphosa announced: “To address these allegations and their implications, I am initiating a judicial commission of inquiry, which will be chaired by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga.”
The President added: “To ensure the Commission can function effectively, I have decided to place Minister of Police, Mr. Senzo Mchunu, on immediate leave.”
“The Minister has pledged to fully cooperate with the Commission to facilitate its work.”
“I have also appointed Professor Firoz Cachalia as the acting Minister of Police.”
This decision comes after a press briefing on July 6, 2025, when Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi raised serious concerns about the existence of a sophisticated criminal syndicate allegedly permeating law enforcement and intelligence agencies in South Africa.
Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi alleged that the Minister of Police interfered with sensitive investigations and colluded with business figures, including a murder suspect, to disband the Political Killings Task Team in KwaZulu-Natal.
He further revealed that a police investigation in Gauteng uncovered a syndicate controlled by a drug cartel, implicating politicians, law enforcement officials from SAPS, metro police, correctional services, prosecutors, the judiciary, and various business entities.
The media briefing raised significant concerns regarding the constitution, rule of law, and national security.
“If these allegations are proven true, they would jeopardize South Africans’ trust in the South African Police Service’s ability to protect them and effectively address crime and corruption,” President Ramaphosa commented.
“Citizens are increasingly alarmed about corruption and escalating criminality, evident in incidents involving the deaths of innocent people, gender-based violence, gang conflicts, kidnappings, construction mafia activities, and more.”
President Ramaphosa noted that this Commission is being established amid substantial efforts to rebuild and strengthen the country’s law enforcement and security services.
The Commission will investigate claims about the infiltration of law enforcement and intelligence entities by criminal syndicates within the justice system.
Possible areas of investigation for the Commission include organized crime facilitation; manipulation of investigations; coercing law enforcement leaders into criminal actions; other criminal offenses; and the intimidation or targeted elimination of whistleblowers and officials resisting criminal influence.
The Commission will also examine the roles of current or former senior officials in specific institutions who may have facilitated alleged criminal activities, neglected credible intelligence, or benefitted financially or politically from syndicate operations.
The institutions under investigation will encompass the South African Police Service, National Prosecuting Authority, State Security Agency, Judiciary, and Magistracy, in addition to the metropolitan police departments of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, and Tshwane.
Moreover, the Commission will determine whether any members of the National Executive responsible for the justice system were complicit or engaged in any of the aforementioned actions.
The Commission will assess the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms and the sufficiency of current laws, policies, and institutional frameworks in preventing such infiltration.
It will provide findings and recommendations for criminal prosecutions, disciplinary measures, and institutional reforms.
Once formed, the Commission will evaluate prima facie evidence related to individuals currently serving in law enforcement or intelligence services.
Where applicable, the Commission may recommend actions regarding the employment status of such officials, including possible suspension pending further investigations.
The Commission will have the authority to refer matters for immediate criminal inquiries and take urgent actions regarding prosecutions, considering the severity of the allegations and the evidence obtained.
“It is essential that these matters are addressed with the required urgency and thoroughness,” President Ramaphosa emphasized.
The Commission is expected to complete its work and present a comprehensive report to the President.
Interim reports are anticipated after three and six months, respectively.
The final report of the Commission will be submitted to the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chief Justice.