Johannesburg: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the suspension of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu and the launch of a commission of inquiry into allegations linking him to criminal gangs and interfering in investigations of politically motivated murders. This move follows public accusations by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the provincial police commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal, who alleged that Mchunu and other senior officials obstructed law enforcement operations aimed at organized crime.
According to Deutsche Welle, these allegations have dominated headlines, prompting calls for action from various political factions. Despite Mchunu's denials, President Ramaphosa decided to suspend him and appoint Professor Firoz Cachalia, a Professor of Law at the University of the Witwatersrand, as his temporary replacement. Professor Cachalia, who is not a member of the National Assembly, is expected to assume the role at the end of July.
The commission, led by the country's deputy chief justice, will investigate claims that criminal organizations have infiltrated the police, intelligence services, and other sectors of the justice system. "The commission will investigate the role of current or former senior officials in certain institutions who may have aided or abetted the alleged criminal activity; failed to act on credible intelligence or internal warnings; or benefited financially or politically from a syndicate's operations," Ramaphosa stated, emphasizing the urgency and thoroughness required in addressing these issues.
Reactions to Ramaphosa's announcement were mixed. Ian Cameron from the Democratic Alliance (DA), the second-largest party in Ramaphosa's governing coalition, expressed disappointment, stating that a "massive moment was missed." He criticized the decision to wait for yet another lengthy process while public trust in policing continues to erode. The opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) also voiced discontent, arguing that the arrangement allows Mchunu to continue receiving a full salary while potentially undermining whistleblowers.
Both the DA and the EFF, along with the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, have already laid charges against Mchunu, citing Mkhwanazi's allegations. The commission's first interim report is expected within three months, with the entire investigation to be concluded within a year.
The allegations against Mchunu date back to 2018 when the South African Police Service formed a task team to address political killings. The team investigated over 600 cases, leading to numerous arrests and the recovery of firearms linked to political crimes. Mchunu allegedly requested the disbandment of this unit, and when that request was not fulfilled, key case dockets were reportedly seized. Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu and Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya of shutting down the task team after uncovering connections between politicians, police, prosecutors, businesspeople, and drug cartels.
Mchunu has dismissed these claims as "baseless" and has accepted his immediate leave, expressing full support for the inquiry process initiated by President Ramaphosa.
