South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced immediate action against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, placing him on "leave of absence" amid serious allegations regarding his connections to organised crime. During a live broadcast, Ramaphosa emphasized the urgent need for a thorough investigation, revealing that law professor Firoz Cachalia would serve as interim police minister while the claims are examined.
Mchunu, aged 67 and a significant figure in Ramaphosa's African National Congress (ANC), has vehemently denied the accusations, which include interference in political killings and corruption within law enforcement. He expressed readiness to address the allegations and underscored his commitment to integrity in public service.
The whistleblower, KwaZulu-Natal provincial police chief Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, disclosed that Mchunu allegedly had financial backing from a businessman embroiled in corrupt dealings to further his political ambitions. Mkhwanazi also recounted the controversial disbanding of a task force aimed at probing political assassinations in the province, asserting that high-profile figures within law enforcement and politics may have been implicated.
In light of Mchunu's appointment, the disbanded unit's effectiveness has come under scrutiny, with Mkhwanazi highlighting that essential investigations into 121 case files have stalled since the unit’s dissolution. Questions surrounding the operational integrity of the police ministry now loom larger than ever, as South African citizens demand accountability for claims that undermine national security.
