South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has been placed on immediate leave following allegations of links to organized crime.
In a televised address to the nation on Sunday, President Ramaphosa also stated that a judicial commission would be established to investigate the claims, which he described as a threat to national security and an undermining of the constitution.
Law professor Firoz Cachalia has been appointed as interim police minister, the president added.
Minister Mchunu has denied any wrongdoing and released a statement affirming his readiness to address the accusations leveled against him.
President Ramaphosa stated that the allegations against Mchunu, which include interference in investigations related to political assassinations and corruption within law enforcement, “call for an urgent and comprehensive investigation”.
The judicial commission, led by the country’s deputy chief justice, will examine all claims thoroughly, according to the president.
President Ramaphosa noted that the commission’s investigation will extend to current and former police officials, as well as members of the national executive.
The president has faced mounting public pressure to act decisively regarding this high-profile case.
Mchunu, aged 67, is a prominent figure within President Ramaphosa’s African National Congress (ANC) party.
Political analysts have suggested that he could be a contender for a leadership position at the ANC’s next elective conference in 2027.
In his statement, Mchunu remarked, “I welcome and respect the president’s decision and pledge my commitment to the process.”
He further added, “Honour and integrity are the virtues I personally subscribe to and which we all need to make efforts to uphold.”
Mkhwanazi alleged that Mchunu was receiving financial support from a businessman suspected of corruption to fund his “political endeavors”.
Gen. Mkhwanazi also provided a detailed account of events that he claims led to the “orchestrated” disbandment of a task force established in 2018 to investigate the killings of politicians, primarily in KwaZulu-Natal.
He asserted that the team’s investigations uncovered links to high-profile individuals – including politicians, police officials, and businesspeople tied to a drug cartel – leading to the team’s dissolution.
When disbanding the unit earlier this year, Mchunu stated that it was not providing significant value in the province, despite numerous unresolved cases.
According to Gen. Mkhwanazi, a total of 121 case files were allegedly removed from the unit under the minister’s instruction and without the authorization of the national police commissioner, Gen. Fannie Masemola.
“These case dockets have been at the head office since March without any investigation work done on them. Five of these dockets already had instructions to [effect] arrests,” Gen. Mkhwanazi stated.
He further alleged that Mchunu had ties to a controversial businessman who was “financially supporting” the minister’s political career.
Vusimuzi Matlala held a lucrative contract with the police before it was abruptly terminated following his arrest for attempted murder in May. Gen. Mkhwanazi shared copies of text messages and an alleged payment made by Mr. Matlala to support this claim.
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